Models Of Care And Clinical Pathways For Young Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors: An International Evidence Synthesis: Protocol For Scoping Review

Ousman  Adal; Kamal Singh; Apil Gurung

doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/4HE7U

Cardiac arrest is defined as the sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity, resulting in the absence of effective blood circulation and leading to cellular ischaemia, organ dysfunction, and death if not promptly treated (Panchal, Bartos et al. 2020).). Improving in coordinated cardiac arrest system of care involving community response in outside hospital, prompt emergency medical services and specialized care such as intensive care and rehabilitation care have contributed to increase survival after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in both adults and children (Elmer, Atkins et al. 2025). Despite these advances, survival following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is often accompanied by significant and enduring morbidity. Survivors frequently experience a range of long-term physical, neurological, cognitive, psychological, and social challenges that persist well beyond hospital discharge (Habibović and Kop 2026). Addressing these complex and multifaceted needs requires well-structured and integrated models of care and clinical pathways. Such approaches typically involve coordinated, multidisciplinary strategies encompassing acute management, post-resuscitation care, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up for both patients and their families (Lampert and Harmon 2026). These considerations are particularly critical for young SCA survivors, who face unique developmental, psychosocial, and quality-of-life challenges. The impact of SCA in this population extends beyond immediate clinical outcomes, affecting education, employment, social integration, and long-term wellbeing. Consequently, there is a need for age-appropriate, patient-centred, and coordinated care pathways tailored to this group (Bradfield, Haywood et al. 2024, Abdelaal, Shehata et al. 2025). Emerging evidence suggests that the incidence of SCA among younger individuals may be increasing, partly due to genetic predispositions, including inherited structural and electrical cardiac disorders and a family history of cardiac disease (Scquizzato, Moscoloni et al. 2025). These findings underscore the importance of early identification strategies, such as genetic screening and targeted clinical evaluation, to enable timely intervention and prevention. Furthermore, recent studies highlight the need to develop and evaluate innovative models of care and clinical pathways to better support this population (Wallace, Wong et al. 2025). In addition to clinical sequelae, the long-term burden of SCA includes substantial psychosocial and quality-of-life impacts, such as psychological distress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and reduced health-related quality of life (Habibović and Kop 2026). Despite the availability of literature review on SCA, including its incidence, prevalence, determinants and extensive public health and individual burden, currently, the availability of literature provides limited information on how health care systems should organise and deliver comprehensive cardiac arrest care tailored to the young population. While several systematic reviews have examined cardiac arrest outcomes and general post-arrest care, none have specifically synthesised evidence on care models tailored for young survivors. Existing reviews predominantly focus on older adult populations or examine single components of care rather than comprehensive pathways. This knowledge gap limits healthcare systems’ ability to develop age-appropriate, coordinated care approaches for this vulnerable population. Therefore, conducting a scoping review is essential to systematically map existing evidence on models of care and clinical pathways for young SCA survivors, identify knowledge gaps, and highlight areas requiring further research. The findings of this review will help inform the development and improvement of integrated care strategies and clinical pathways, potentially guiding healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers worldwide in strengthening survivorship care and optimising long-term outcomes for SCA survivors. Aims This scoping review aims to systematically map and synthesise existing evidence on models of care and clinical pathways for young survivors of sudden cardiac arrest, and to identify critical gaps in the literature to guide future research, policy development, and clinical practice.

Models Of Care And Clinical Pathways For Young Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors: An International Evidence Synthesis: Protocol For Scoping Review

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Details

Metrics