PATIENT-RELATED PREDICTORS OF CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION OF HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS

We reviewed 32 studies to determine whether patient-related factors pr edict the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of hosp italized patients. Limitations of individual studies are described. Si ngle factors and multiple factors, as used in the Pre-arrest Morbidity (PAM) Index, were examined for their ability to predict CPR outcome. Although certain clinical conditions appear to predict CPR survival be st, other individual patient-related factors influence the effectivene ss of CPR. The PAM Index is superior to single factors in predicting s urvival after CPR in hospitalized patients, possibly because it is mul tifactorial. As some studies reveal efficacy of only some of the varia bles of the PAM Index, a modification of the PAM Index is proposed as an effective tool for predicting CPR outcome. Such a modification may offer geriatricians a practical basis on which some difficult 'do not resuscitate' decisions can be based.