Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality. Administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander witnessing a cardiac arrest has been shown to increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation and survival. This study analyses the association between the socioeconomic status of the location where a person suffers a cardiac arrest and the proportion of victims with OHCA receiving bystander CPR.

Methods Retrospective analysis of all OHCAs occurring in North East England from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011: data obtained from the North East Cardiac Arrest Network Registry.

Results Of 3179 OHCAs with an attempt at resuscitation, 623 patients received bystander-initiated CPR (19.6%). From quintile (Q) 1 to Q5 (most deprived to least deprived), bystander-initiated CPR rates increased from 14.5% to 23.3% (p for trend <0.001). Patients in the least deprived quintile were significantly more likely to receive bystander-initiated CPR when compared with those in the most deprived quintile (OR=1.78, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.39, p≤0.001).

Conclusions Increasing socioeconomic status at the location of cardiac arrest is positively associated with the likelihood of bystander CPR for OHCA in this region of England.