The Institute of Critical Care Medicine President Says Recent Statistics Indicate That CPR Survival Rate Averages Less Than 3%.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 4, 1999--

Dr. Max Harry Weil States Survival Rate Not Changed in 40 Years

Only three out of every 100 victims of heart arrest survive CPR resuscitation efforts outside of the hospital.

This alarming statistic was revealed by Dr. Max Harry Weil, president of The Institute of Critical Medicine, and professor at the University of Southern California and at Northwestern University Medical Schools.

Weil said, "The public is not fully aware of the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Most people think that CPR saves most of those who would otherwise die, but, unfortunately, that is not the case.

"While we have made great inroads in developing emergency procedures such as CPR, the reality is that there is so little that is presently known about cardiac arrest and its treatment. Because there is such little understanding of the medical science applicable to CPR, serious research is badly needed if we are to really save hearts that are too young to die. Unfortunately, neither governmental agencies, nor the public, recognize the dire need for intensive research and for the funding of this research."

Weil pointed out that heart disease now is the leading cause of death in the United States topping cancer, accidents, AIDS and a multitude of other terminal illnesses. Some 300,000 Americans die suddenly of cardiac arrest when the heart stops beating mainly because of unsuspected heart disease. These victims of cardiac arrest may be restored to life by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but only 3%, three out of 100 victims whose heart stops before they reach the hospital actually survive to the extent that they can leave the hospital and resume reasonable lives.

Weil, who has been honored by the American Heart Association and by prestigious professional societies for his leadership in CPR research, said that it is true that we have guidelines on how to do CPR for doctors, paramedics and lay persons, including guidelines published by the American Heart Association.

"Unfortunately, the guidelines are based on the best that the experts know," said Weil. "The statistics have not changed appreciably in the last 40 years, except perhaps for early arrival of the rescuer with electrical defibrillators in some cities. Much research must be done if we are to really save the lives of our loved ones by improving the survival rate of victims of cardiac arrest."

Weil, who founded The Institute of Critical Care Medicine in 1959, is recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on research devoted to life-saving medical care and technology, especially CPR and automated defibrillation. He and his colleagues at The Institute have made more than 1,000 contributions to the literature on research related to life-saving medical care. Accordingly, The Institute, located in Palm Springs, is world-renowned for its pioneering research.