Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiac Arrest and Emergency Care

The incidence of both out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient survival and neurologic outcome after both out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest were reduced. Direct effects of the COVID-19 illness combined with indirect effects of the pandemic on patient’s behavior and health care systems contributed to these changes. Understanding potential factors offers the opportunity to improve future response and save lives.