RESULTS OF RESUSCITATION FOLLOWING CARDIAC ARREST: A Review from a Major Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The records of 536 patients who required cardiorespiratory resuscitation during the period 1967-71 are reviewed. All suffered cardiac arrest and the results of treatment are expressed in terms of length of survival. 11.9% of cases were alive at one month, a favourable prognosis being associated with middle age, ventricular fibrillation as the primary electrocardiographic finding and conditions of a medical nature. Poor prognosis was associated with age under 40, electrocardiographic evidence of asystole and conditions of a surgical nature. An outline of the system of resuscitation at present in operation in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is given.