EFFECT OF AGE ON PREHOSPITAL CARDIAC RESUSCITATION OUTCOME

To compare resuscitation outcomes in elderly and younger prehospital c ardiac arrest victims, we used a retrospective case series over 5 year s in rural advanced life support (ALS) units and a University hospital base station, Participants included 563 adult field resuscitations. E xcluded were patients with noncardiac etiologies, those less than 30 y ears old, and those with unknown initial rhythms. Patients were groupe d by age. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hos pital discharge were compared by Yates' chi-square test, ALS treatment of cardiac arrest was by regional protocols and on-line physician dir ection, Sixty percent (320/532) of patients were over 65 years old. Th e proportion with initial rhythm ventricular fibrillation (VF) was 50% in the elderly and 48% in younger patients, ROSC was achieved in 18% of elderly and 16% of younger patients; survival was 4% among the elde rly and 5% for younger patients, The oldest survivor was 87 years old. Most survivors were discharged, in good Cerebral Performance Categori es, There was no difference in outcome by age group when initial cardi ac rhythm was considered. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) an d ALS and initial rhythm VF were associated with the best resuscitatio n success, Age has less effect on resuscitation success than other wel l-known factors such as early CPR and ALS. Advanced age alone should p robably not deter resuscitation attempts. (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Co mpany