Long-term survival and neurologic status after resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Thirty-eight survivors from among 117 patients hospitalized after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were evaluated approximately 3 1/2 years later. Twenty patients were living; 18 had died. Fifty-three percent had resumed independent social activities, but only 32% had returned to work. Eight of 14 patients tested were normal on limited neuropsychologic tests. Satisfactory long-term outcome was associated statistically with the patient's being awake on admission or awakening to follow simple commands within 2 days, and with good neurologic status at the time of discharge from the hospital. None of nine patients with poor neurologic function at discharge subsequently resumed working or independent living.