Cardiopulmonary resuscitation after the year 2010

The author summarizes the views and attitudes contained in the new evidence-based medicine guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR). In adults, emphasis is placed on immediate and continuous external chest compressions and on performing defibrillation as

soon as possible. Clearing the airways, artificial respiration and drug administration play secondary roles. The term „chest compressions

only, Hands-Only CPR“ is repeatedly mentioned. The emphasis placed on the priority and quality of external chest compressions is so

significant that the instructions for performing CPR do not use the A-B-C (airways, breathing, chest compressions) sequence, but use

C-B-A (chest compressions as the first step) instead. In children, the importance of artificial respiration has remained unchanged since,

except for some 5–15 % of circulatory arrest of primarily cardiac origin, the majority of cases are due to asphyxial cardiac arrest. The

A-B-C method is still applicable in children; however, the importance of chest compressions and defibrillation is also emphasised with

increasing age (adolescents, young athletes). When performing resuscitation in newborns, it is advisable to carefully monitor SaO2 during

CPR because of the risk of hyperoxia and, when circulation is restored, mild therapeutic hypothermia is recommended (as in adults).

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 2010 guidelines, A-B-CC-B-A, Hands-Only CPR, CPR procedures in children