RISK INDICATORS FOR, AND SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH, DEATH AMONG PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED AFTER OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC-ARREST

Background: An increasing proportion of patients who have an out-of-ho spital cardiac arrest are initially successfully resuscitated and thus hospitalized. Aims: To define risk indicators for, and to describe th e mode of, in-hospital death among patients hospitalized after an out- of-hospital cardiac arrest. Setting: Gateborg, Sweden. Patients: All p atients hospitalized after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between 1980 and 1992. Results: A total of 707 out of 3434 patients were hospitali zed after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, of whom 278 (39%) were disch arged alive. Independent risk indicators for in-hospital death were: t ype of initial arrhythmia on the scene, age, interval between cardiac arrest and arrival of first ambulance, bystander-initiated cardiopulmo nary resuscitation and history of diabetes mellitus. Of the patients w ho died in hospital, 88% had brain damage and 43% myocardial damage. C onclusion: Risk indicators for hospital death can be defined. The majo rity of in-hospital deaths were associated with brain damage.