A Sex-Specific Medicine Approach to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a critical condition with a high mortality rate and significant risk of hypoxic brain injury. Sex/gender differences in OHCA outcomes have been reported, with men having a higher incidence rate but women experiencing worse outcomes. Biological factors, including the underlying cause of cardiac arrest and initial cardiac rhythm, may contribute to these differences. Social and cultural factors, such as delayed diagnosis, lower knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular disease, and traditional gender roles, may also impact survival rates. Moreover, gender bias in the decision-making process for post-resuscitation care can result in lower survival rates for women. Addressing these sociocultural and medical biases is vital for reducing gender disparities in OHCA outcomes. Despite the complexity of studying sex differences in emergency medicine, improving emergency medical systems and specialized care can help reduce treatment disparities for OHCA patients. In summary, research in sex-specific medicine seeks to address health inequalities and promote personalized and precision medicine.