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Cardiac arrest
Prior ECG abnormalities predict shockable OHCA rhythm
Association between preexisting electrocardiographic abnormalities and shockable initial rhythm in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Resuscitation · Added 25 August 2026
Danish registry study of 22,516 first OHCA patients found prehospital ECG abnormalities (pathological Q-waves, LVH, AF, conduction delays, LBBB) were associated with higher odds of shockable initial rhythm in bystander-witnessed arrests.
- Study type
- Registry
- Design
- National registry cohort with linked prior ECGs
- Participants
- 22,516 people with first OHCA (Denmark)
- Main finding
- In bystander-witnessed arrests, prior ECG abnormalities were associated with higher odds of shockable initial rhythm (any abnormality OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10–1.90; LBBB OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.49–2.77; AF OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.38–2.10)
- Caveat
- Only 38.7% of witnessed arrests had a prior ECG available, potential selection bias
- Bottom line
- Hypothesis-generating
Why it matters in Australia (Medium relevance). Retrospective hospital-based analysis — predictive value of historical ECGs but not actionable at roadside
Learning goal
Recognise how a patient's prior ECG abnormalities shape the likelihood of a shockable rhythm at cardiac arrest.
More
- Topic: Cardiac arrest
- Daily scan: 25 August 2026
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