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High School Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2017

Michelle J. White*
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Emefah C. Loccoh
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Monica M. Goble
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Sunkyung Yu
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Folafoluwa O. Odetola
Affiliation:
Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Mark W. Russell
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
*
Correspondence: Michelle J. White, MD Division of Hospital Medicine Department of Pediatrics Wayne State University 3901 Beaubien, Detroit, Michigan USA 48201 E-mail: mjoettewhite@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for 5%-10% of all deaths among children 5-19 years-of-age. The incidence of SCD in youth in Michigan (USA) and nationwide is higher in racial/ethnic minorities and in certain geographic areas. School cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) increase survival after cardiac arrest. However, school cardiac emergency preparedness remains variable. Studying population-level factors associated with school cardiac emergency preparedness and incidence of SCD in the young may improve understanding of disparities in the incidence of SCD.

Hypothesis/Problem

The objective of this pilot study was to determine the association of elements of high school cardiac emergency preparedness, including Automated External Defibrillator (AED) distribution and the presence of CERPs with county sociodemographic characteristics and county incidence of SCD in the young.

Methods

Surveys were sent to representatives from all public high schools in 30 randomly selected Michigan counties. Counties with greater than 50% response rate were included (n=19). Association of county-level sociodemographic characteristics with incidence of SCD in the young and existence of CERPs were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results

Factors related to the presence of AEDs were similar across counties. Schools in counties of lower socioeconomic status (SES; lower-median income, lower per capita income, and higher population below poverty level) were less likely to have a CERP than those with higher SES (all P<.01). Lack of a CERP was associated with a higher incidence of SCD in youth (r=-0.71; P=.001). Overall incidence of SCD in youth was higher in lower SES counties (r=-0.62 in median income and r=0.51 in population below poverty level; both P<.05).

Conclusion

County SES is associated with the presence of CERPs in schools, suggesting a link between school cardiac emergency preparedness and county financial resources. Additionally, counties of lower SES demonstrated higher incidence of SCD in the young. Statewide and national studies are required to further explore the factors relating to geographic and socioeconomic differences in cardiac emergency preparedness and the incidence of SCD in the young.

White MJ , Loccoh EC , Goble MM , Yu S , Odetola FO , Russell MW . High School Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):269–272.

Type
Original Research
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest/funding: All phases of this project were supported by internal funding from the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan USA). Members of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Michigan participated in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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