Pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest in the emergency department.
A prospective observation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was made at an active municipal pediatric emergency department. Pediatric cardiorespiratory arrest, documented in only 26 patients over a 12-month period, was unusual. Fifteen were less than 1 year old, and four children survived to discharge. Asystole was present in 24 of 26 patients with cardiac arrest. Congenital abnormalities were present in 23% of patients; however, these accounted for 50% of the survivors. The overall survival rate was 15.4%. Suggestions for termination of resuscitation are given.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008910:Minnesota; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012151:Resuscitation; D013398:Sudden Infant Death