Don't Forget A & B!
Over 500,000 patients per year suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Despite advances in our understanding and management of cardiac arrest, less than 15% of patients survive to hospital discharge with meaningful neurologic survival. In recent years, the focus of cardiac arrest resuscitation has been the delivery of high-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation for those with a shockable rhythm. As a result, airway interventions and ventilation now follow attempts to optimize circulation in cardiac arrest patients. Though high-quality CPR and early defibrillation are essential in the initial stages of resuscitation, advanced airway placement and appropriate ventilation are critical to overall patient survival.
Dr. Winters' discusses the current literature on the timing of advanced airway placement, oxygenation, and ventilation for the cardiac arrest patient. In addition, he discusses optimal targets for oxygenation and ventilation in the patient with return of spontaneous circulation from sudden cardiac arrest.