Abstract
BackgroundEvidence shows that the implementation of optimal post-arrest care significantly increases survival and functional outcomes among patients who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, differences in OHCA survival have been reported between men and women, suggesting underlying differences in post-arrest care. This systematic review will evaluate gender differences in the provision of key post-arrest interventions.MethodsEligible studies will be identified through systematic searches of relevant databases. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies of adult patients will be eligible for inclusion if they report gender-specific data on the provision of one or more guideline-based post-arrest interventions in OHCA patients who survived to hospital admission. Two independent reviewers will perform both the title and abstract and full-text screening along with data abstraction for the selected studies. Study quality will be assessed using a modified Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs or the ROBINS-I tool for observational studies. The strength of evidence for each included study will be assessed using a modified Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this systematic review will be the first to address the association between patient gender and the provision of post-arrest care. The findings from this systematic review will provide valuable insight to gender disparities in the provision of post-arrest care. This systematic review was designed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. This protocol observes the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42012003096
Highlights
Evidence shows that the implementation of optimal post-arrest care significantly increases survival and functional outcomes among patients who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that overall survival among women was higher than men [12]; multiple studies have found that female OHCA patients are less likely to survive to hospital discharge [13, 17, 18, 20] despite being more likely to survive to hospital admission [14,15,16,17, 19]
Interventions Based on the 2010 and 2015 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for postcardiac arrest care [9, 10] and 2008 AHA consensus statement on post-cardiac arrest syndrome [29], the focus of this review will be on the provision of the following key evidence-based interventions: cardiology and/ or neurology consultation(s), coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), electrophysiological testing (ET), implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), neuroprognostication no earlier than 72 h after arrest, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and targeted temperature management (TTM) [9, 10]
Summary
Evidence shows that the implementation of optimal post-arrest care significantly increases survival and functional outcomes among patients who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Differences in OHCA survival have been reported between men and women, suggesting underlying differences in post-arrest care. Evidence has shown that implementation of optimized post-arrest care significantly contributes to increased survival and functional outcomes in OHCA patients [11]. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that overall survival among women was higher than men [12]; multiple studies have found that female OHCA patients are less likely to survive to hospital discharge [13, 17, 18, 20] despite being more likely to survive to hospital admission [14,15,16,17, 19]. The objective of this systematic review is to systematically review the evidence on gender differences in the provision of post-arrest care
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
