In cases of cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) are lifesaving interventions performed with specific differences, by laypersons and professional responders, and are included in basic life support (BLS) protocols. Since cardiac arrest can occur in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings, the circumstances of the event may vary widely. Early initiation of CPR and timely AED application are key factors in improving survival, as they help restore circulation and oxygenation and increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Several socioeconomic, racial, and gender-related factors have been investigated and appear to be associated with the probability of receiving bystander BLS. In particular, female sex has been identified as a potential barrier to the initiation of BLS maneuvers. Although these disparities have been highlighted in the literature, little is known about the underlying reasons for this gap, and even less about potential interventions aimed at reducing it. To the best of our knowledge, no scoping or systematic reviews have been conducted on this topic. The aim of this review is to examine the available evidence regarding interventions designed to reduce sex-based differences in the likelihood of receiving BLS during cardiac arrest and to identify existing knowledge gaps.
Giulia Catalisano (Thu,) studied this question.