HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS SEROPREVALENCE AMONG ADULTS TREATED FOR OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC-ARREST IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, 1989-1993

Study objective: To estimate the potential risk of HIV exposure for th ose providing emergency care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sea ttle, Washington, by surveying the seroprevalence of HIV in the patien t population. Methods: We surveyed the seroprevalence of HIV among 1,4 74 persons treated for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by paramedics du ring the years 1989 through 1993. Blood specimens were obtained at the site of cardiac arrest, stripped of personal identifiers, and tested for HIV-1 and HIV-2 by enzyme immunoassay and Western blot. Results: A mong the 1,011 men, 8 (.8%, 95 percent confidence interval .3% to 1.4% ) were seropositive for HIV-1 during this 5-year period; all 8 were yo unger than age 55. No serologic evidence of HIV infection was detected among the 463 women. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HIV in this po pulation was relatively low. Risk of possible HIV transmission during paramedic treatment was remote.