In this study, we are comparing the difference in outcomes between patients who were given shocks to the heart, during the upstroke of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and before CPR is started. The study population will be all cardiac arrest patients attended by the staff of the Emergency Department who fulfil the eligibility criteria. Patients will be managed according to currently approved cardiac arrest protocols. Patients confirmed in cardiac arrest have manual chest compressions started while mechanical CPR (whereby chest compressions are delivered by an automated device) is prepared. Mechanical CPR should be started as soon as possible (\<1 minute). If patients are eligible to be shocked, they will receive shocks either during upstroke of CPR or before CPR is started. Thus the purpose of this study is to answer the question whether are there improvement in survival between when shocks are given during upstroke and before CPR is started.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
successful electrical conversion (shock success)
Timeframe: establishment of organized rhythm within 60 seconds