Qualitative and quantitative analysis of emergency department cardiac arrest publications

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency with a poor prognosis. Patient characteristics and outcomes are associated with location and are traditionally categorized into out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) or in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Increasing evidence has revealed that cardiac arrest occurring in the emergency department is distinct from OHCA or IHCA in other locations in hospitals, but most academic publications combine these populations and apply the knowledge arising from OHCA or IHCA to patients with emergency department cardiac arrest (EDCA). The aim of this study was to identify the research direction of EDCA in the past 20 years and to analyze the characteristics and content of academic publications. We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for eligible articles until May 30, 2021. Two independent reviewers extracted data by using a customized form to record crucial information, and any conflicts between the two reviewers were resolved through discussion with another independent reviewer. The aggregated data underwent a scoping review and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. In total, 52 original articles investigating EDCA were included; only 15 articles simply focused on EDCA, while other articles involved OHCA or IHCA simultaneously. There were 3 articles discussing the relationship of overcrowdedness and EDCA, 12 articles for prediction and risk factors associated with EDCA, 15 articles for epidemiology and prognosis, and 22 articles for specific diagnostic or resuscitation skills with regard to EDCA. Studies focusing on EDCA are increasing but still scarce. Applying the knowledge arising from OHCA or IHCA to EDCA is questionable, and research focused on EDCA is necessary. ED overcrowdedness-associated EDCA and prediction models for EDCA are essential topics that need further investigation.