Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/standards , Emergency Medical Services/standards , Heart Arrest/therapy , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Heart Arrest/diagnosis , Heart Arrest/epidemiology , Heart Arrest/etiology , Humans , Respiration, Artificial/methodsABSTRACT
The goal of therapy for bradycardia or tachycardia is to rapidly identify and treat patients who are hemodynamically unstable or symptomatic due to the arrhythmia. Drugs or, when appropriate, pacing may be used to control unstable or symptomatic bradycardia. Cardioversion or drugs or both may be used to control unstable or symptomatic tachycardia. ACLS providers should closely monitor stable patients pending expert consultation and should be prepared to aggressively treat those with evidence of decompensation.
Subject(s)
American Heart Association , Cardiology/standards , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/standards , Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards , Cardiology/methods , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods , Cardiovascular Diseases/therapy , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Emergency Medical Services/standards , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
The critical lifesaving steps of BLS are â Immediate Recognition and Activation of the emergency response system â Early CPR and â Rapid Defibrillation for VF. When an adult suddenly collapses, whoever is nearby should activate the emergency system and begin chest compressions (regardless of training). Trained lay rescuers who are able and healthcare providers should provide compressions and ventilations. Contrary to the belief of too many in this situation, CPR is not harmful. Inaction is harmful and CPR can be lifesaving. However, the quality of CPR is critical. Chest compressions should be delivered by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest (ie, chest compressions should be of adequate rate and depth). Rescuers should allow complete chest recoil after each compression and minimize interruptions in chest compressions. They should also avoid excessive ventilation. If and when available, an AED should be applied and used without delaying chest compressions. With prompt and effective provision of these actions, lives are saved every day.
Subject(s)
American Heart Association , Cardiology/methods , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Adult , Age Factors , Cardiology/standards , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/standards , Electric Countershock/methods , Electric Countershock/standards , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Emergency Medical Services/standards , Heart Arrest/diagnosis , Heart Arrest/therapy , Humans , Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards , United StatesABSTRACT
A variety of CPR techniques and devices may improve hemodynamics or short-term survival when used by well-trained providers in selected patients. All of these techniques and devices have the potential to delay chest compressions and defibrillation. In order to prevent delays and maximize efficiency, initial training, ongoing monitoring, and retraining programs should be offered to providers on a frequent and ongoing basis. To date, no adjunct has consistently been shown to be superior to standard conventional (manual) CPR for out-of-hospital basic life support, and no device other than a defibrillator has consistently improved long-term survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
