Background. The original target of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was victims of acute cardiopulmonary arrest. However, the use of CPR has expanded to a wide variety of patients including those with terminal illness for whom CPR is futile. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of CPR performed, the severity of illness and the outcome of CPR attempted in terminal illness in a teaching hospital. Methods. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempted in terminal illness was retrospectively assessed from the medical records of hospital deaths with any one of eight life-threatening diagnoses during a 3.5-year period. Results. Of 532 hospital deaths from terminal illness, 411 records (77.3%) were reviewed and abstracted. Most of the 411 patients had a low pre-CPR functional status. Generally, CPR was performed in 270 (65.7%) cases; 114 of those given CPR (42.2%) initially survived, but all died shortly after the manoeuvre. The high death rate following CPR may reflect both terminal illnesses and the severity of pre-event functional capacity of patients. Conclusion. The criteria for CPR in this group of patients need to be re-assessed and use of a Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) score may be helpful.