Epidemiology of in-hospital cardiac arrest in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013–2015

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in a tertiary-care hospital in Abu Dhabi emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: Retrospective data from 685 inpatients who experienced an IHCA at a hospital in Abu Dhabi (UAE) between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were analysed. Socio-demographic variables were age and gender, and IHCA event variables were shift, day, event location, initial cardiac rhythm and the total number of IHCA events. Outcome variables were the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge (StD).

Results: The incidence of IHCA was 11.7 (95% CI 10.8 to 12.6) per 1000 hospital admissions. Non-shockable rhythms were 91.1% of the cardiac rhythms at presentation. The majority of IHCA cases occurred in the intensive care unit (46.1%) and on weekdays (74.6%). More than a third (38.3%) of patients who experienced an IHCA achieved ROSC and 7.7% StD. Both ROSC and StD were significantly higher in patients who were younger and presenting with a shockable rhythm (all p’s≤0.05). Survival outcomes were not significantly different between day shifts and night shifts or weekdays and weekends.

Conclusions: The incidence of IHCA was higher and its outcomes were lower compared with other high-income/developed countries. Survival outcomes were better for patients who were younger and had a shockable rhythm, and similar between time of day and days of the week. These findings may help to inform health managers about the magnitude and quality of IHCA care in the UAE.