The outcome of mechanical ventilation: report of a five year study.

In the five years 1979-1983, 486 patients were treated by mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit of a District General Hospital. Of these 43.6% died in the Unit and a further 8.9% died after discharge to the general wards. Sepsis was a major complication in 28% of patients. Renal failure was almost always a fatal complication. Of patients who had a cardiac arrest 80% died. At the end of one year 17.2% of patients had returned to their previously normal life.