[Long-term (beyond 5 years) prognosis of successfully resuscitated patients with ventricular fibrillation]

An investigation was carried out of 58 patients who had survived ventricular fibrillation during the period 1975-1982 and had been successfully resuscitated in the Cardiologic Clinic of the High Medical Institute in Varna. 12 of the patients were women and 46 were men, mean age 60.8 years (from 43 up to 85 years). 3 of the patients were dropped out of the investigation because of lack of information. 35 patients (63.6%) had died and 20 patients (36.4%) were alive. 4 of the alive patients (20%) had resumed their previous occupation. 3 of the patients (15%) were on old age pension but were engaged in some kind of work. 12 patients (60%) were old age pensioners or on a disablement pension but in good functional class. Only one patient (5%) was in a bad physical condition confined to bed. Ventricular fibrillation has a poor prognosis but if timely and properly treated it could be overcome and the life of the patients could be prolonged. Some of the patients could live a wholesome life for a long period of time (more than 5 years).