Survival after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND:: The use of postarrest variables to predict survival after discharge following in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation has not been definitive. This study evaluates whether the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other variables affect discharge rates and survival rates after discharge. METHODS:: Prospective cohort survival data and arrest variables were collected, including initial observed rhythm, duration of CPR, time of arrest, and number of arrests. Arrests on unmonitored general medical units, monitored telemetry units, and critical care units were included. Outcome measures were: survival after CPR, 24 hours post-CPR, survival to discharge, and to six months postdischarge. RESULTS:: At both discharge and six months after discharge, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia were associated with better survival rates than other initial rhythms (P < 0.001). There were significantly higher survival rates (P < 0.001) for those receiving CPR for ≤ 10 minutes as compared with those receiving CPR >10 minutes. Multiple versus single arrests and monitored versus unmonitored arrests approached significance. The time of day of the arrest was not a significant factor. CONCLUSIONS:: Duration of CPR >10 minutes was predictive of significantly decreased survival to discharge and six months postdischarge. Low six-month survival rates may reflect the relatively high proportion of initial rhythms other than ventricular in the study group.