Evaluation of cardiac arrests managed by paramedics

JACEP. 1978 Oct;7(10):355-7. doi: 10.1016/s0361-1124(78)80223-8.

Abstract

The effectiveness of cardiac resuscitations by Cincinnati paramedics was monitored for one year. The outcome of every arrest was assigned to one of four categories: dead on arrival, died in the emergency department, died in the hospital or discharged alive, and each patient was followed until death or discharge from a hospital. Of the 147 people in the study group, 22 left the hospital alive, a long-term success rate of 15%, and another 26 died during hospitalization, 18% of the study population. This data is comparable to success rates reported by other prehospital care systems. Furthermore, this data indicates approximately 15% of people who have cardiac arrests outside of a hospital can survive through prompt intervention by trained personnel.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Allied Health Personnel*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / mortality*
  • Heart Arrest / therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Resuscitation*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome