Resuscitation from death is not an every day event; however, it is no longer a rarity. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has, therefore, become a common tool in our management of these critically ill patients. Despite an improved understanding and management of cardiac arrest, and the widespread application of donot resuscitate (DNR) orders in an attempt to prevent the inappropriate use of CPR, the success rate following in-hospital cardiac arrest has remained unchanged over the last three decades, with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in about 30% with approximately 15% of patients being discharged neurologically intact.
Daryelle S. Varon, Joseph Varon
