Prognosis and management of victims of near-drowning

Between 1972 and 1981 40 victims of near-drowning were admitted to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Hospital records were reviewed with regard to: 1) the circumstances of submersion and rescue; 2) the patient's condition upon arrival at the emergency room; 3) treatment, hospital course, and ultimate outcome. There were ten hospital deaths, 23 patients recovered completely, and seven were discharged with incapacitating neurologic disability. Three of the neurologically impaired patients died between 1 and 13 months after discharge. All patients who arrived with a beating heart were eventually discharged neurologically intact. Of the 21 patients who required in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ten died, seven remained comatose, and four recovered without serious neurologic deficits. The use of hypothermia, steroids, and barbiturate coma was not randomized, but did not appear to influence ultimate outcome. Intracranial pressure was monitored in five patients and was never elevated during the first 24 hours. The complete recovery of nearly 20% of apparently lifeless individuals justifies aggressive resuscitation and support of all victims of near-drowning.