Management of ventricular fibrillation outside hospital.

Abstract 55 of 126 patients with cardiac arrest outside hospital had resuscitative measures initiated within 4 minutes of the onset of arrest. 48 of the 55 had ventricular fibrillation. 39 of the 48 survived. Resuscitative measures were initiated by members of a mobile coronary-care team in 14 patients and by other individuals in 25. 27 left hospital alive and most of these patients were well at follow-up. 24 of the 27 had acute myocardial infarction, 2 had myocarditis, and 1 had been electrocuted. In 19 of the patients with myocardial infarction the coronary attack was clinically mild. These findings indicate the value of the training of medical and lay personnel in resuscitation methods provided a mobile coronary-care unit is available.