Study Reveals Similar Neurological Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest Across Income Levels in Vienna
A recent study presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress has found that neurological outcomes for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest at home are comparable, regardless of whether they reside in low- or high-income areas of Vienna. This research, conducted by a team from the Medical University of Vienna, analyzed data from 676 patients treated in their emergency department from January 2020 to December 2022.
The investigation focused on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) and utilized records from the department's CPR initiatives, correlating patient addresses with electoral districts and average household income data from Austria's National Statistical System. Researchers assessed neurological outcomes, including brain function and cognitive ability, at intervals of one, six, and twelve months post-arrest, while considering various factors related to each patient's medical condition and prior interventions.
Despite the findings indicating no significant correlation between patients' income levels and their neurological outcomes after a cardiac arrest, the study did reveal a concerning trend: individuals from lower-income areas appeared less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from bystanders compared to those in higher-income neighborhoods. Specifically, basic life support rates were 64% for patients in the lowest income quartile, versus 78% for those in the highest income quartile. Although this disparity was not statistically significant, it raises important questions about access to emergency care and bystander responsiveness in different socioeconomic contexts.
Presenting the findings, a medical student from the Medical University of Vienna emphasized the need for further investigation into the bystander CPR rates across varying income levels. The analysis highlights the critical role that immediate CPR can play in enhancing survival rates and favorable neurological outcomes following cardiac arrest. The researchers noted that many cases likely went unrecorded in their registry due to patients not receiving bystander support before reaching the hospital.
As a result, the observed trends underscore the necessity for public health initiatives aimed at improving basic life support training and awareness, particularly in lower-income communities. The study calls for the development of strategies that increase bystander readiness to respond to emergencies, thereby reducing disparities in outcomes following cardiac arrest.
The research team plans to conduct further studies to examine bystander CPR rates throughout Vienna, as well as to explore long-term outcomes for patients who have undergone advanced procedures such as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. While acknowledging the unique nature of Vienna's emergency care system, the researchers expressed interest in replicating their analysis in other Austrian cities, such as Graz, to identify broader trends in emergency response across different urban settings.
Overall, this study represents a significant step in understanding the impact of socioeconomic factors on emergency medical outcomes in Austria, providing important insights that could inform future public health policies and training programs.