Cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The disease COVID-19 produces serious complications that can lead to cardiorespiratory arrest. Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can improve patient prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the specialty of Anaesthesiology in the management of CPR during the pandemic.

METHODS: A survey was carried out with Google Forms consisting of 19 questions. The access link to the questionnaire was sent by email by the Spanish Society of Anesthesia (SEDAR) to all its members.

RESULTS: 225 responses were obtained. The regions with the highest participation were: Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia. 68.6%% of the participants work in public hospitals. 32% of the participants habitually work in intensive care units (ICU), however, 62.1% have attended critical COVID-19 in the ICU and 72.6% have anesthetized them in the operating room. 26.3% have attended some cardiac arrest, 16.8% of the participants admitted to lead the manoeuvres, 16.8% didn't participate in the CPR, and 66.2% was part of the team, but did not lead the assistance. Most of the CPR was performed in supine, only 5% was done in prone position. 54.6% of participants had not taken any course of Advance Life Support (ALS) in the last 2 years. 97.7% of respondents think that Anaesthesia should lead the in-hospital CPR.

CONCLUSION: The specialty of Anesthesiology has actively participated in the care of the critically ill patient and in the management of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, training and/or updating in ALS is required.