External Cardiac Resuscitation in a Community Hospital

Abstract

During a three-year period in a community hospital, 237 patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Acute myocardial infarction was the leading cause of cardic arrest. Ninety-seven patients (41%) were restored to their prearrest cardiac and central nervous system status, and 52 (22%) were long-term survivors. No patients with pulmonary embolus survived and no patient survived when 30 minutes or more of continuous resuscitation was required. Follow-up data obtained on 49 of the 52 long-term survivors showed that 43 (89%) were alive 9 to 42 months after the cardiac arrest. Ninety percent of the short-term survivors died within one day. These results compare favorably with those reported by university hospitals. Vital to the success of the program was the swift recognition of cardiac arrest followed by immediate resuscitative measures administered by well-trained house staff, nursing personnel, technicians, and inhalation therapists.