Telemedicine in cardiac arrest protocols: Comparative impact of video and audio dispatcher assistance

BACKGROUND In recent years, the utilization of telemedicine in emergency situations, particularly in the context of cardiac arrest, has garnered increasing attention. This study addresses the comparative effectiveness of video-instructed dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) vs audio-instructed DA-CPR, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of emergency medical guidance through telecommunication methods. AIM To compare the effectiveness of video-instructed DA-CPR and audio-instructed DA-CPR in terms of survival rates to hospital discharge. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, from inception to October 2023, using keywords such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiac arrest, and telemedicine combined with Boolean operators. Language was restricted to English, with no date of publication restrictions. We included studies assessing the impact of DA-CPR guidance through video or audio instruction on the quality of CPR performed by bystanders in real-life and simulated environments. RESULTS Our research strategy yielded 537 references. After the final analysis, we selected 27 articles from the PubMed database that met our inclusion criteria. The mean age of the included participants was 37.1 years. The study presents compelling evidence in favor of video-instructed DA-CPR, showing a significant improvement in survival rates to discharge compared to audio-instructed DA-CPR. CONCLUSION DA-CPR plays a crucial role in the chain of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Extensive research has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness in increasing bystander-initiated CPR and improving patient outcomes. Ongoing technological advancements, such as video calls and automated external defibrillator integration, continue to refine and enhance the delivery of DA-CPR. However, continuous efforts are required to standardize dispatcher training and further optimize communication strategies to ensure the highest quality of care for cardiac arrest victims.