Table 2 Case series claimed to document lack of autoresuscitation.

Stroud et al (1947) [19]

23

"When practical, the electrodes were attached to the moribund patient before clinical death... tracings were taken intermittently or continuously until the string became motionless." Age 10-87 yr; 1 child age 10 yr.

stated for n = 2 (adults)

0

not stated

"Permanent standstill occurred without VF in 50% of cases."

n = 2 not monitored at death, leaving a true n = 21.

Enselberg (1952) [20]

43

"EKGs were recorded for varying lengths of time before, during, and after death... resuscitative measures were applied in 22 cases." Age 8-80 yr; 2 children ages 8 yr and 14 yr.

not stated

0

not stated

"Recurring asystoles or ventricular standstills are common and often appear to be self-limited."

"It is possible that in many cases the recording of terminal EKGs may have been stopped upon the appearance of a long asystole, before true cessation."

Robinson (1912) [21]

7

"EKG records obtained from 7 patients before and during the actual stoppage of the heart... There were naturally many failures to obtain records, especially when fatalities occurred suddenly." Age 9 mo-37 yr; 3 children ages 9 mo, 18 mo, and 4 yr.

stated for n = 1 (age 9 mo)

0

not stated

"Cardiac activity continued from 6-35 min after all the usual clinical signs of death had occurred."

-Case 5 had resumption of cardiac rhythm at a rate of 33 bpm "after a stoppage of 2 1/2 minutes."

-Case 7 had no evidence of cardiac activity "17 min post mortem. Because the records were not satisfactory, a more detailed analysis is not possible."

Willius

(1924) [22]

6

"... six patients in whom almost continuous EKG records were obtained from 10 min to 7 hr 32 min preceding death." Age 29-58 yr (based on information for n = 4).

not stated (4), several minutes (1), 1 min 3.04 sec(1).

0

not stated

"The changes occurring in the mechanism of the human heart preceding and during death are variable..."

-

Rodstein et al 1970 [23]

31

"A series of aged individuals in whom terminal EKGs and necropsies were available... Lead II was then continuously recorded until electrical activity ceased... The time of cessation of electrical activity- electrical death- was recorded. Where clinically indicated, the usual resuscitative measures were employed." Ages 73-101 yr.

stated for n = 1.

0

not stated

"The majority of deaths from all causes showed an EKG pattern of the dying heart..." In review of the literature they report "survival times after clinical death [of up to 50 min]."

"In 7 (23%) of the 31 patients, electrical death terminated in VF... One patient terminated with a rapid VT."

TOTAL

110

Selection criteria poorly described.

n = 5

n = 0

not stated

variable terminal EKG patterns

cannot determine if autoresuscitation occurs