Retrospective Study of the Survival of Patients who Underwent Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and evolutive characteristics of patients admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identifying prognostic survival factors.METHODS: A retrospective study of 136 patients admitted between 1995 and 1999 to an intensive care unit, evaluating clinical conditions, mechanisms and causes of cardiopulmonary arrest, and their relation to hospital mortality.RESULTS: A 76% mortality rate independent of age and sex was observed. Asystole was the most frequent mechanism of death, and seen in isolation pulmonary arrest was the least frequent. Cardiac failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cirrhosis and previous stroke were clinically significant (p<0.01) death factors.CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Palliative care in decompensated cirrhosis: A review

“…These difficult conversations can be facilitated by palliative care consultation. Patients with cirrhosis who undergo CPR following cardiac arrest have a dismal prognosis, with an in‐hospital mortality ranging from 85%‐100% . Sixty‐six percent of patients with advanced cirrhosis were listed with full code measures despite their poor prognosis .…”

“…Patients with cirrhosis who undergo CPR following cardiac arrest have a dismal prognosis, with an in-hospital mortality ranging from 85%-100%. [33][34][35] Sixty-six percent of patients with advanced cirrhosis were listed with full code measures despite their poor prognosis. 9,36 When patients with cirrhosis are critically ill in the ICU, they are attended to by multiple specialists who focus on their particular area of expertise and life sustaining treatment is often continued without addressing overall prognosis.…”