Article

Survivability characteristics after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the
population with spinal cord injury (SCI) are unclear but may be useful for
advanced care planning discussions with patients. Retrospective evaluation from
records of all SCI patients over 10 yr at a Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest was performed.
Demographic data and other common measurements were recorded. Thirty-six male
subjects were identified, and only two patients survived to discharge (5.5%
survival rate), both of whom were admitted for nonacute issues and were
asymptomatic shortly before the cardiac arrest. The mean age at the time of
cardiopulmonary arrest was 62.4 yr, with a mean time from cardiac arrest to death
of 3.02 d. No significant demographic parameters were identified. Overall, SCI
likely portends worse outcome for acutely ill patients in the situation of a
cardiac arrest. Conclusions are limited by sample size.

Langue : ANGLAIS