The dramatic increase in sudden cardiac deaths and the alarming low survival: a global call to action to improve outcome with the engagement of tertiary education system.

BACKGROUND: The number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, cause of disability and death, has dramatically increased worldwide, but despite the progress, the incidence of survival does not appear to have increased significantly. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains the principal factor in saving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims. METHODS: Analyzing the immense efforts produced by states and professional organizations to train people in CPR skills for immediate intervention in the occurrence of a cardiac arrest, the primary global strategy is centered on CPR education and training for schoolchildren. But the rate of CPR training remains low, with wide differences among communities. The concept of CPR training for schoolchildren to increase bystander CPR rates needs to be implemented. RESULTS: We suggest a global call to action for the tertiary education system for CPR learning and training, including all undergraduate students regardless of the degree course, as a possible method to improve the traditional CPR training today centered on the secondary education system. CONCLUSION: Extending CPR training courses to the university educational system could significantly increase the number of people educated in life-saving maneuvers. The final objective is to improve the survival rate of patients with out-of-hospital primary cardiac arrest, which has dramatically increased worldwide.