Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Aged

Abstract

As cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) becomes routine for in-hospital deaths unless it is explicitly countermanded for cause, justification for the procedure is being inspected from many points of view. In an excellent review of the literature up to 1980, DeBard¹ points out that advanced age is not unfavorable to a successful outcome. This view is shared by others.^{2 , 3} In fact, there appears to be no dissent. An editorial in Lancet ⁴ regarding the ethics and wisdom of the procedure also makes note of the fact that great age does not preclude success, but makes a plea for restraint in the application of . . .