Acute cardiac care & resuscitationCohort study
Activation of community first responders to pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Denmark
- Registry-based study
- descriptive and exploratory analyses
Authors' conclusion
CFR activation to pediatric OHCAs was associated with early resuscitative efforts. One-third reported moderate or severe immediate distress, particularly when arriving before EMS, performing CPR, or responding to younger children. The majority of the CFRs remained willing to remain in the system afterwards. Findings reflect immediate responses and should be interpreted alongside the potential benefits of early interventions.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric OHCAs (ages 0–17) with CFR activation in Denmark, September 2017 to December 2023Community first responders (CFRs) activated in 55 pediatric OHCAs, 157 arrived at the scene
- Participants
- 794 participants
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CFRs arrived at the scene
157
Arrived before EMS
85/157 (54%)
Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
47/157 (30%)
Provided support to relatives
44/157 (28%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Moderate or severe self-reported immediate distress
- All CFRs who arrived
- 53/157 (34%)
- Among those who arrived before EMS
- 44/85, 52%
- Among those who performed CPR
- 30/47, 64%
- In cases of children <4 years
- 35/77, 45%
Willingness to continue volunteering · afterwards
- Remained willing to continue volunteering
- 155/157, 99%
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it