Resuscitation
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Multicenter Study
Risk of cardiopulmonary arrest after acute respiratory compromise in hospitalized patients.
Hospitalized patients with serious medical conditions such as shock, aspiration, pulmonary edema or stroke may develop acute respiratory compromise (ARC) requiring rescue treatment by medical emergency teams. We determined the characteristics and clinical course of hospitalized patients experiencing ARC as well as their risk of developing subsequent CPA. ⋯ Approximately one in six patients experiencing initial ARC deteriorates to CPA. Most CPA occur within 10 min of ARC recognition. Improved ARC recognition, hospital emergency team response and airway management may potentially enhance care and outcomes for these critically ill patients.