HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE WITH CARDIAC RESUSCITATION.

In three cases of cardiac arrest in which resuscitation was successful, there were striking similarities. The patients were men with anterior myocardial infarction and the mode of cardiac arrest was ventricular fibrillation. Corrective action was begun promptly after arrest occurred. In each case vasopressor agents were required for three to five days after resuscitation before the cardiovascular system was able to maintain a normal blood pressure without this aid. Convalescence was satisfactory and each patient returned to his usual occupation. The procedure that was used for cardiac resuscitation was based on artifical respiration (by any of several methods) and artificial circulation by external cardiac compression to provide a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. Once this is established, time is afforded to determine what other steps are needed.