Retrospective study of the survival of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an intensive care unit.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre da Faculdade de Medicina da UFGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. dam@ufrgs.br
Daniel Martins
DM
Moreira
Guilherme
G
Mariante Neto
Marcelo Wierzynski
MW
Oliveira
Letícia Biscaino
LB
Alves
Luís Carlos Chorazje
LC
Adamatti
Eliana de Andrade
Ede A
Trotta
Sílvia Regina Rios
SR
Vieira
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate