Survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest: their prognosis, longevity and functional status.

This paper reports, consistent with Utstein Style definitions, 13 years experience observing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors' prognosis, longevity and functional status. We report for all patients, available outcome information for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in Göteborg Sweden between 1980 and 1993. Patients were followed for at least 1 year and some for over 14 years. From 1980 to 1993 Göteborg EMS treated 3754 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. 9% (n = 324) were discharged from the hospital alive. Survivors' median age was 67 and 21% (n = 67) were women. Mortality rate was: 21% (n = 61) at 1 year; 56% (n = 78) by 5 years; and 82% (n = 32) by 10 years following the arrest. During the first 3 years, 16% (n = 46) experienced another cardiac arrest, 19% (n = 53) had an acute myocardial infraction and a total of 81% (n = 232) were rehospitalized for various conditions. 14% (n = 40) returned to previous employment, and 74% (n = 229) had retired before their arrest occurred. Cerebral performance categories (CPC) scores were: At hospital discharge N = 324; Data available for 320-1 = 53% (n = 171), 2 = 21% (n = 66), 3 = 24% (n = 77), 4 = 2% (n = 6). One year post arrest N = 263; Data available for 212-1 = 73% (n = 156), 2 = 9% (n = 18), 3 = 17% (n = 36), 4 = 1% (n = 2). Overall, 21% (n = 61) of cardiac arrest survivors died during the first year, and an additional 16% (n = 46) experienced another arrest. 73% of those patients who were still alive after 1 year returned to pre-arrest function.