Exercise-related cardiac arrest in Västra Götaland; Incidence,

Abstract

Introduction Total incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with attempt to resuscitation in Sweden is around 5.000 cases annually, 11 % of these survives. The incidence of exerciserelated OHCA is scarcely studied, as well as the characteristics, prognosis and outcome of these cardiac arrests. Aim This study aims to assess the incidence of exercise-related OHCA in Västra Götaland and to compare characteristics, prognosis and outcome for these cardiac arrests with the nonexercise- related OHCAs. A secondary aim is finding high-risk activities and describe incidence and prognosis of the exercise-related OHCA for each activity. Method This is a retrospective cohort study including all OHCA’s occurring outside of home in Västra Götaland year 2011-2015 that is a part of the online Swedish Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation Register (Svenska Hjärt-lungräddningsregistret). A computer software with additional questionnaire was used to collect the data concerning the characteristic of the OHCAs. Result 1415 OHCAs outside of home where resuscitation was attempted occurred in Västra Götaland year 2011-2015. 90 (6.4%) of the OHCA were exercise related and 86 (95.6%) of these occurred in men. Patients suffering an exercise-related OHCA were on average 10 years younger than those who had a non-exercise-related OHCA, 57.4 vs 67.3 years and they had a significantly better survival rate to 30 days, 53.6 % survival, compared to 19.7% in the nonexercise related group (p < 0.001). The sports with most exercise-related OHCA were bicycling, gym- workout and golf. Conclusion Exercise related OHCA has a low incidence in the general population, 1 per 100 000 personyears. Cardiac arrests that occur in relation to exercise have a significantly better prognosis and outcome than non-exercise related cardiac arrests.