Main results of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survey, 2006-2017

Yoon Hajung, Kwon Yunhyung, An juyeon, Kim Young Taek
Division of Chronic Disease Control, Center for Disease Prevention, KCDC

In 2008, Korea CDC introduced the “Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survey” to identify the incidence and survival rates of sudden cardiac arrests, in cooperation with the National Fire Agency. Since then, it has been publishing sudden cardiac arrest statistics each year. The results from 2006 to 2017 are as follows. There are about 30,000 cases of sudden cardiac arrests occurring annually. Standardized incidence (per 100,000 people) increased from 39.3 in 2006 to 41.5 in 2016, and thereafter slightly decreased to 39.4 in 2017. Survival of the sudden cardiac arrest patients increased 3.8 fold from 2.3% in 2006 to 8.7% in 2017. Neurological recovery rate increased 8.5 fold from 0.6% in 2006 to 5.1% in 2017. Bystander CPR rate and rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before hospital arrival, which are the two indices closely related to survival result, showed increasing trends. The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survey had confirmed one positive and one negative aspect of the current status. On the positive side, there had been a nationwide improvement in sudden cardiac arrest survival, and on the negative side, the regional disparity had widened. By disseminating results of this survey among community members, we hope to promote local community-based activities for improving the survival rates of cardiac arrest patients.

Keywords: Heart arrest, Incidence, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Surveys and questionnaires