Acute cardiac care & resuscitation
Coronary angiography findings in relation to defibrillation refractoriness in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest – A nationwide study over 10 years
Authors' conclusion
In this nationwide study including all OHCA patients undergoing coronary angiography during a ten-year period, we can show that defibrillation attempts is not related to the burden of coronary artery disease and does not aid in selecting patients for coronary angiography following OHCA.
Study context
- Population
- Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in Sweden, 18–80 years, initial shockable rhythm, who underwent coronary angiography, 2010–2019
- Participants
- 3,282 patients
- Exposure
- Number of defibrillations: 1-3 vs 4-6 vs 7-9 vs ≥10
- Outcome
- Coronary angiography findings and PCI by number of defibrillation attempts
Methodological detailsnationwide
- Nationwide
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Coronary angiography findings and PCI by number of defibrillations
At least one significant stenosis, highest with 1-3 defibrillations
80-67 %
Acute coronary occlusions, similar proportions between groups
30-34 %
PCI, 1-3 defibrillations
68 %
PCI, >3 defibrillations
57-52 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
1-year survival
- Negative association with increased number of defibrillations; unaffected by adjustment for angiography findings and PCI
- 75-39 %; p < 0.001
- Adjusted multivariable model
Original publication
Coronary angiography findings in relation to defibrillation refractoriness in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest – A nationwide study over 10 years. Resuscitation. Published 3 December 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it