In-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

A review of 399 resuscitation efforts in 329 patients within one year\nat the Houston Veterans Administration Medical Center indicated that an age of\n70 years or greater is associated with poor outcome after in-hospital\ncardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Basing their conclusions on a detailed\nanalysis of the methods and results of their study, the authors argue that CPR\nshould be reserved for those who have a reasonable chance of survival until\ndischarge, while admitting that the definition of this standard will vary. \nThey recommend that patients 70 years or older, and patients with cancer or\nsepsis, should be identified as candidates for CPR only after considerable\nreflection by families and clinicians. (KIE abstract)