New research presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Florence, Italy, confirms that prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) significantly improves survival rates for cardiac arrest victims, regardless of who performs the life-saving procedure.
The comprehensive study, led by Associate Professor Aneta Aleksova from the University of Trieste, analyzed data from more than 3,300 cardiac arrest patients admitted to University Hospital Trieste between 2003 and 2024. The findings demonstrate that the speed of intervention—not the training level of the rescuer—is the critical factor in patient survival.
"Our data highlights the importance of immediate resuscitation and underlines the importance to promote population awareness and Basic Life Support training to further improve survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest," stated Professor Aleksova and her research team.
Timing Critical for Survival
The research revealed that each five-minute delay in restoring spontaneous circulation was associated with a 38% increased risk of death. This stark statistic emphasizes the critical importance of immediate intervention when cardiac arrest occurs.
Approximately 26% of patients in the study died during hospitalization. However, researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between patients who received CPR from bystanders versus those treated by paramedics or other medical professionals.
Long-term outcomes were equally promising. During an average follow-up period of seven years, 14% of patients died, with no statistical difference in survival rates based on who initially performed CPR.
Bystander Intervention Rates Improving
The study documented a significant increase in bystander CPR rates over the past two decades. In 2003-2007, only 26% of cardiac arrest victims received CPR from bystanders before emergency medical services arrived. By 2020-2024, this figure had risen dramatically to 69%.
This improvement suggests growing public awareness about the importance of immediate intervention during cardiac emergencies. However, complementary research indicates there's still room for progress, particularly regarding gender disparities in bystander CPR rates.
The Role of 911 Operators in Improving Intervention
A related study from Duke University School of Medicine, presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium, highlights the crucial role emergency dispatchers play in encouraging bystander CPR.
This research, analyzing nearly 2,400 emergency calls for cardiac arrest in North Carolina, found that when 911 operators provided CPR instructions, bystander intervention rates increased dramatically—from just 11% to 40% for male victims and from 9% to 44% for female victims.
"Prompt delivery of CPR doubles a patient's chance of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest," explained Audrey Blewer, assistant professor of family medicine at Duke University and lead author of this complementary study.
Addressing Gender Disparities in CPR Delivery
The Duke research also identified persistent challenges in bystander CPR delivery, particularly regarding female cardiac arrest victims. Hesitancy to perform CPR on women often stems from concerns about inappropriate touching or fears of causing injury, especially in elderly or frail patients.
Researchers suggest that updating CPR training materials—such as developing mannequins with female anatomical features—could help address these barriers and improve intervention rates for women experiencing cardiac arrest.
Implications for Public Health
These findings have significant implications for public health strategies aimed at improving cardiac arrest outcomes. The research underscores the importance of:
- Expanding basic life support training among the general public
- Enhancing 911 dispatcher protocols to provide clear CPR instructions
- Addressing psychological barriers that may prevent bystander intervention
- Developing more inclusive CPR training materials
"What encourages me from a research standpoint is that there are so many opportunities to increase that number, and that's really a matter of everybody working together and working towards the chain of survival from cardiac arrest," noted Professor Blewer.
The Path Forward
While the findings from both studies are considered preliminary until published in peer-reviewed journals, they provide compelling evidence for the critical importance of immediate CPR in cardiac emergencies—regardless of who performs it.
The research highlights that empowering bystanders through education and emergency dispatcher guidance represents a significant opportunity to improve survival rates for the thousands of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of hospital settings each year.
As bystander CPR rates continue to improve, researchers anticipate further reductions in cardiac arrest mortality, particularly if gender disparities in intervention can be effectively addressed through targeted education and training initiatives.
