Ten Survivors of Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Patients from two hospitals who had experienced a cardiac arrest with resuscitation, within a forty-three month period, were considered for the study. All surviving patients within a one-hundred mile radius were actually included; these ten were interviewed and evaluated.

The two most marked psychological reactions of these patients were 1) the use of “major denial” and 2) the experiencing of a transcendental redirection in their lives. Three patients used “major denial” and made good adjustments. Five patients experienced either a religious conversion or a philosophical redirection in their lives. All of these used either minimal or partial denial, and two made good adjustments. The “life review” prior to arrest, as reported by other authors, was not experienced in this sample.

All of the families interviewed assumed an overprotective role toward the patients, while the patients themselves were relieved to be able to discuss the incident. Case examples of various reactions are presented.