Prehospital Ventricular Defibrillation

Abstract

The subsequent course of 301 subjects with prehospital ventricular fibrillation detected by rescue units was analyzed. Defibrillation was successful in 199. Of these patients, 98 died before admission; of 101 who were hospitalized, 59 died in the hospital, and 42 were discharged alive. Initially rapid post-defibrillation heart rates and atrial fibrillation or sinus tachycardia were associated with good survival in contrast to slow rates and idioventricular or junctional rhythms.