Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Update

Authors

  • Dimosthenis Prodromos Avramidis Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mitera Children’s Hospital
  • John Papagiannis Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mitera Children’s Hospital
  • George Kirvassilis Department of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, Mitera Children’s Hospital
  • Chrysanthos Alexopoulos Department of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, Mitera Children’s Hospital
  • Antonis S Manolis First Department of Cardiology, Evangelismos General Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2015/hc.v7i1%20Sup.475

Keywords:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), guidelines

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Every 5 years experts, after reviewing literature and scientific evidence, update the guidelines on Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The objective of this report is to review the main changes in resuscitation that occurred over the last 5 year period. CONTENTS: High-quality chest compressions with adequate rate and depth allowing full recoil of the chest with minimal interruptions is the mainstay of the recommended changes. The 30:2 compression ventilation ratio is maintained, but the former order is modified chest compressions first, followed by airway and breathing (C-A-B instead of A-B-C). Avoiding of excessive ventilation is also recommended. Chest compressions-only CPR in primary cardiac arrest victims, is an option for rescuers who are unable or unwilling to perform mouth to mouth ventilation. Advanced life support algorithm is simplified (regarding drugs, routes of administration, endotracheal intubation). Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treatment has also been updated. Better practices for teaching and learning resuscitation skills are addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Updating CPR guidelines is important, and continuous education is recommended. This will improve the quality of resuscitation and survival of patients in cardiac arrest.

Author Biography

Dimosthenis Prodromos Avramidis, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mitera Children’s Hospital

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mitera Children’s Hospital

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2012-03-23

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 Sup (2012)

Section

ATHENS CARDIOLOGY UPDATE 2012

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).