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Resuscitation highlights in 2011

A new method of investigating the ergonomics of visual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback delivery

Central venous pressure amplitude: A novel marker of resuscitation quality

Sodium bicarbonate therapy during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Is presenting rhythm the key to benefit?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation During the Coronavirus Crisis: Important Updates for the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Community

Ultrasound guided chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Hand position for chest compression

The recommendations for electrical therapies described in this section are designed to improve survival from SCA and life-threatening arrhythmias. Whenever defibrillation is attempted, rescuers must coordinate high-quality CPR with defibrillation to minimize interruptions in chest compressions and to ensure immediate resumption of chest compressions after shock delivery. The high first-shock efficacy of newer biphasic defibrillators led to the recommendation of single shocks plus immediate CPR instead of 3-shock sequences that were recommended prior to 2005 to treat VF. Further data are needed to refine recommendations for energy levels for defibrillation and cardioversion using biphasic waveforms.

Effectiveness of ventilation–compression ratios 1:5 and 2:15 in simulated single rescuer paediatric resuscitation

This 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations on basic life support summarizes evidence evaluations performed for 22 topics that were prioritized by the Basic Life Support Task Force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The evidence reviews include 16 systematic reviews, 5 scoping reviews, and 1 evidence update. Per agreement within the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, new or revised treatment recommendations were only made after a systematic review. Systematic reviews were performed for the following topics: dispatch diagnosis of cardiac arrest, use of a firm surface for CPR, sequence for starting CPR (compressions-airway-breaths versus airway-breaths-compressions), CPR before calling for help, duration of CPR cycles, hand position during compressions, rhythm check timing, feedback for CPR quality, alternative techniques, public access automated external defibrillator programs, analysis of rhythm during chest compressions, CPR before defibrillation, removal of foreign-body airway obstruction, resuscitation care for suspected opioid-associated emergencies, drowning, and harm from CPR to victims not in cardiac arrest. The topics that resulted in the most extensive task force discussions included CPR during transport, CPR before calling for help, resuscitation care for suspected opioid-associated emergencies, feedback for CPR quality, and analysis of rhythm during chest compressions. After discussion of the scoping reviews and the evidence update, the task force prioritized several topics for new systematic reviews.

BackgroundA mnemonic is a cognitive aid frequently used in health-related education. The main goal of this study was to develop and test a 5-finger mnemonic for teaching schoolchildren the theoretical aspects of adult Basic Life Support (BLS) steps, a process rarely described in the context of instructing laypersons.MethodsExperts from the European Resuscitation Council’s Basic Life Support Science and Education Committee (ERC BLS SEC), specializing in teaching adult BLS, participated in the first phase of the pilot study. This phase employed the modified reactive Delphi to develop a 5-finger mnemonic for teaching schoolchildren the theoretical aspects of adult BLS steps, in accordance with the 2021 ERC BLS guidelines. The mnemonic underwent revision rounds based on expert suggestions and was evaluated using a 9-point Likert scale. The process was repeated until there was unanimous approval. In the second phase, a pilot test was conducted with schoolchildren at a summer camp to assess their recall of the 5-finger mnemonic. Following their training in adult BLS steps utilizing the 5-finger mnemonic, schoolchildren were tasked with arranging cards depicting images from the mnemonic both before and after the training.ResultsFrom March to October 2022, a four-round modified reactive Delphi engaged four experts from the ERC BLS SEC. Initial expert consensus was moderate, 6.0 (IQR = 4.5–7.5, min = 1, max = 9), on a scale 1 (“totally disagree”) to 9 (“totally agree”). The experts consensus improved over subsequent rounds, resulting in two final versions of the 5-finger mnemonic. Both versions concentrate on the comprehensive adult BLS, differing only in their approach to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): one employs a method of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths, while the other utilizes compression-only CPR. In August 2023, a recall pilot test involved mostly female schoolchildren (12/13, 92.3%). Pre-training, no cards with 5-finger mnemonic content were arranged correctly, but post-training, progress improvement was observed, especially in older schoolchildren (Z = -2.727, p = 0.006).ConclusionsThe pilot study highlights the potential of using tailored educational tools, such as mnemonics, to teach important lifesaving skills to different age groups. This suggests that the 5-finger mnemonic effectively improved schoolchildren’s understanding of the theoretical aspects of adult BLS steps.

Adult Basic Life Support (BLS), as taught by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Red Cross, equips individuals with the necessary skills to respond effectively in emergencies and provide immediate care until professional medical assistance arrives. This study conducted a quantitative analysis among radiologic technologists in the National Capital Region (NCR) to assess their knowledge and proficiency in BLS. As healthcare providers, radiologic technologists play a crucial role in detecting cardiac arrest and other life-threatening conditions early, making their competency in life-saving interventions, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), essential. Their involvement is not limited to hospitals but also extends to clinics and other medical settings where they may be the first responders. To evaluate the knowledge and skills of radiologic technologists in BLS, researchers utilized a questionnaire checklist distributed among selected hospitals, employing voluntary response sampling for participant selection. The study followed the AHA guidelines as the foundational framework, as its algorithm is widely adopted in the Philippines and supported by extensive research affirming its effectiveness in life-saving interventions. By aligning with globally recognized standards, this investigation aims to contribute to an evidence-based approach in healthcare practice while strengthening emergency preparedness. The findings revealed that younger radiologic technologists generally demonstrated higher BLS knowledge and skills, while older professionals showed slightly lower. A weak correlation was observed between gender and BLS proficiency, with female respondents slightly outperforming males. Public hospital technologists exhibited marginally higher awareness and competency compared to their private hospital counterparts, likely due to greater exposure to emergencies and structured training programs. These insights underscore the importance of continuous education and hands-on training to improve emergency response capabilities across different healthcare demographics.

The International Guidelines 2000 Conference on Cardiop-ulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care was the world's first international conference to produce evi-dence-based international resuscitation guidelines. Herein, we summarize the changes in these guidelines as it applies to Adult Basic Life Support (BLS). This interpretation is basically similar to that of the European Resuscitation Coun-cil (ERC). The changes have been incorporated into the cur-riculum of our Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider courses and the new 2001 ERC ALS manual.

Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Prehospital or In-Hospital Cannulation?

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation success rates depend on the knowledge and skills of Adult basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support. The objective of the study was to find the level of awareness on BLS and skills among health personnel working in different departments of a rural teaching hospital.
 Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla, Nepal. The awareness level about BLS was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Health personnel’s previous exposure to BLS and the inclusion of BLS in their curriculum was also assessed.
 Results: Among 91 participants,74% (n=67) heard about BLS ,64% (n=58)have seen performing and 25%(n=23) have performed CPR. Only 8%(n=7) attended a workshop on BLS. 43% (n=39) answered 100 and 46%(n=42) answered 30 compression per minute in adult during CPR.71%(n=65) knew the ratio of chest compression to breath in adults. Only 41%(n=37) identified anatomy/area mid-chest for chest compression. Only 40%(n=36) are familiar to the Heimlich maneuver and 5.5%(n=5) were aware of the sequence of BLS which is Head tilt, chin lift, check the pulse. Seventy-eight percent (n=71) responded that BLS training should be a part of the medical curriculum. Mean awareness of general medicine is significantly lower than the other two groups (P<0.001).
 Conclusion: The level of awareness and knowledge regarding BLS is different among health personnel. Hospital staff and nursing students had better knowledge regarding BLS than general medicine students.