When is CPR not of benefit?

One approach to defining benefit examines the probability of an intervention leading to a desirable outcome. CPR has been prospectively evaluated in a wide variety of clinical situations. Knowledge of the probability of success with CPR could be used to determine its futility. For instance, CPR has been shown to be have a 0% probability of success in the following clinical circumstances:

• Septic shock
  
• Acute stroke
  
• Metastatic cancer
  
• Severe pneumonia
  

In other clinical situations, survival from CPR is extremely limited:

• Hypotension (2% survival)
  
• Renal failure (3%)
  
• AIDS (2%)
  
• Homebound lifestyle (4%)
  
• Age greater than 70 (4% survival to discharge from hospital)
  

You might consider these success rates, your own physical condition, and your desires regarding quality of life in determining how you would like to procceed in talking with your physician about a possible DNR order.