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Cardiac arrest
Double sequential defibrillation shows no benefit
Implementation of double sequential defibrillation (DSD): an Aotearoa New Zealand observational study
Resuscitation · Added 23 August 2026
NZ EMS observational study (n=1,401) found no survival benefit after DSD implementation for refractory VF/VT, with lower ROSC odds in DSD patients likely reflecting confounding by indication.
- Study type
- Cohort
- Design
- Retrospective pre/post observational cohort
- Participants
- 1,401 patients with refractory VF/VT (pre 663, post 738)
- Main finding
- No significant difference in ROSC or 30-day survival after DSD implementation; DSD patients had lower odds of ROSC (aOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.85) and late-DSD aOR 0.46 (95% CI 0.30-0.71).
- Caveat
- Confounding by indication — DSD used in patients with poorest prognosis
- Bottom line
- Supports current practice
Why it matters in Australia (Medium relevance). Australasian context relevant to services using DSD, but findings may be confounded and timing guidance remains unclear.
Learning goal
Weigh the benefits and harms of double sequential defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation in cardiac arrest.
More
- Topic: Cardiac arrest
- Daily scan: 23 August 2026
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