The Role of Dispatcher Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis
Author(s): Yu Wang, Abhijit Adhikary and Hong Zhang
Objectives The role of Dispatcher Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DACPR) has not been widely reported. The objectives of the study were to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies addressing whether DACPR, compared with independent Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BCPR), increased the rates of BCPR, and whether they altered survival outcomes compared with no BCPR in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA).
Methods We searched the relevant articles from PubMed and Cochrane databases. The basic information and outcome data (BCPR rates, survival to hospital discharge, 1-month survival) were extracted from the included studies. Meta-analyses were performed by using STATA 11.0 software.
Results Eight studies involving 65,148 patients were eligible. Overall meta-analysis showed that DACPR was associated with statistically improved rates of BCPR (Odds Ratio [OR] =3.48, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 2.08-5.83, I2= 96.7%), and survival to discharge/ 1-month survival (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.40- 1.63, I2= 24.9%) when compared with no BCPR. However, no significant effect of DACPR in survival rate was found, when compared with independent BCPR (OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.62-1.14, I2 = 88.6%).
Conclusion This study found that DACPR resulted in significantly higher rates of BCPR as compared with independent BCPR in OHCAs. Considering that DACPR also resulted in greater survival rate compared with no BCPR, DACPR should be a standard protocol for EMS systems worldwide.