[Ambulance services for patients with acute cardiac conditions in Denmark--current state]

Abstract

In 1985, the Danish Board of Health published a review of the therapeutic value of heart ambulances. A report is presented here concerning the extent to which prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest recommended by the Board of Health has been intensified after publication of the review. The prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest has been intensified in four counties and in the municipalities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg whereas it has not been altered in the remaining ten counties. Recent Danish investigations have demonstrated better prognosis both as regards survival and as regards recovery when intensified prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest is employed. Hence legislation steps should be taken to improve pre-hospital treatment of cardiac arrest.