Cardiopulmonary resuscitation above 75 years: is it worthwhile?*

Exclusion of patients who are older than 75 years from CPR is not warranted on the basis of age alone. Elderly victims of cardiac arrest can have an excellent long-term outcome, but this concerns mainly a minority of patients with favorable characteristics. Early identification of elderly patients with good chances of recovery after cardiac arrest would increase the appropriateness of resuscitation.