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Basic Life Support

Advanced Cardiac Life Support


Automated External Defibrillator

Advanced Cardiac Life Support step 1 check for responsiveness tap &
Overview and Protocol - ACLS Shout are you alright then scan the chest for
movement here you're looking for absent or
AHA
abnormal breathing this can be no
cardiovascular disease strikes in every
breathing or only gasping he's not
nation around the world from sudden
responding and he doesn't he's not
cardiac arrest to the disabling effects of
breathing activate the emergency response
acute coronary syndromes and acute
system and get an AED if the patient is
ischemic stroke cardiovascular disease
unresponsive then move
remains a leading cause of disability and
to step two activate the emergency
death in many parts of the world
response system and get an AED step 3
understanding and activating the systems of
circulation check the carotid pulse do not
care developed by the American Heart
spend more than 10 seconds checking for a
Association can help improve survival rates
pulse if you cannot feel
and may even prevent cardiac arrest you
a pulse within 10 seconds start CPR
play a pivotal role in
immediately give cycles of 30 chest
providing high quality cardiovascular care
compressions followed by 2 ventilations
what you do matters what you learn can
step 4 defibrillation as soon as possible
save lives welcome to the American Heart
attach an AED or defibrillator and if
Association's BLS and ACLs surveys video
indicated deliver a shock if you've had any
will be demonstrating the latest life-saving
training on BLS you'll notice the sequence
interventions and the skills necessary to
of steps has changed you no longer look
successfully manage arrest peri-arrest acs
listen and feel for breathing before
and stroke patients most of the instruction
delivering two breaths the ABCD sequence
will take place here in the American Heart
often delayed chest compressions as the
Association's training lab where we can
healthcare provider tried to open the airway
successfully demonstrate and practice
and deliver ventilations by changing the
those important skills you of course will
sequence and giving chest compressions
have the chance to practice skills in learning
first more patients may achieve return of
stations in your classroom in this segment
spontaneous circulation or roske however if
of the course you'll be learning to systematic
you determine that the patient is not
approaches developed by the American
breathing normally but has a pulse bypass
Heart Association for treating patients the
chest compressions and support the patient
basic life support or BLS survey and the
with rescue breathing delivering one breath
advanced cardiovascular life support or
every five to six seconds the critical
ACLs survey by adhering to these steps you
concepts for high quality BLS are push hard
can better manage patients when deciding
and push fast allow complete chest recoil
which survey to use to treat a patient start
after each compression minimize
with a step we all do automatically visually
interruptions in chest compressions switch
assess if the patient is conscious or
providers about every two minutes to avoid
unconscious if the patient is conscious
fatigue and avoid excessive ventilations let's
move to the ACLs survey which we'll review
take a look at how the BLS steps come
in a
together in an arrest situation morning
moment for unconscious patients you'll use
gentlemen don't want a joke good morning
the BLS survey which has four steps
sorry it's so early yes thank you so much all blood to vital organs high quality chest
right now if you look at the compressions maintain blood flow to
graphs you'll see that the new programs vital organs especially the heart chest
have implemented haven't really kicked compressions are the highest priority in
in yet a 57 year old man is experiencing the first minutes of cardiac arrest
many of the warning signs of acute one way to measure the effectiveness of
coronary syndromes or ACS with chest chest compression is with coronary
discomfort indigestion and feeling faint perfusion pressure coronary perfusion
Daniel are you okay you don't look so pressure during CPR must reach at least
good 10 millimeters of mercury
I'm fine probably gonna go home early to be 10
though oh that is your scenario now achieved the return of spontaneous
begin sir are you all right circulation or Ross as chest
he's unresponsive and not breathing compressions begin it takes several
activate the emergency response system compressions to raise the coronary
and get an AED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 perfusion pressure to a level adequate
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 to 23 24 to supply blood to the heart the higher
25 26 seven twenty eight twenty nine the coronary perfusion pressure during
thirty one two three CPR the better the survival rate for the
the co team is on the way I've got the patient when health care providers
AED 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 attach interrupt chest compressions perfusion
pads to patients bare chest 25 26 27 28 pressure Falls dramatically and remains
29 plug in pads connector 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very low until compressions are
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 restarted because coronary perfusion
a two analyzing heart rhythm do not pressure measurements are not readily
touch the patient shock needed one two available during a resuscitation attempt
charging 4 5 6 7 8 health care providers can monitor CPR
stay clear of patient deliver shock now quality with wave form capnography and
to the patient press the flashing button intra-arterial relaxation pressures will
shot down 3 1 2 3 discuss the details of wave form
shocking jaw are never delivered begin capnography later in this course
CPR start with compressions high-quality specific patients with an end tidal co2
BLS is the foundation for saving lives reading of less than 10 millimeters of
following sudden cardiac arrest if these mercury may not achieve roske for
steps are performed rapidly and well the intra-arterial relaxation pressures a
patient's chance of survival increases reading of less than 20 millimeters of
the effectiveness of advanced life mercury indicates ineffective
support measures depends on high quality compressions to perform high quality
BLS there's a reason that these steps chest compressions you should push hard
are called life support when a patient and push fast push hard means that you
goes into cardiac arrest one of the should compress the chest at least two
common presenting rhythms is ventricular inches and allow complete chest recoil
fibrillation or VF the heart is after each compression if the chest is
quivering but not effectively pumping not completely recoil coronary perfusion
will remain low push fast means to every minute that ticks by without a
deliver at a rate of at least 100 shock reduces the chance of survival
compressions per minute scientific let's review the four steps of the BLS
studies show that the number of chest survey step one check responsiveness tap
compressions delivered is an important and shout and scan the chest for
direct determinant of Ross and movement step 2 activate the emergency
neurologically intact survival it can be response system and get an AED step 3
difficult to maintain such a vigorous circulation check for a carotid pulse if
pace which is why the American Heart you cannot feel a pulse within 10
Association recommends that rescuers seconds support circulation by giving
switch roles after 2 minutes or 5 cycles cycles of 30 chest compressions followed
of 30 compressions and 2 ventilations by two ventilations step four
high-quality CPR minimizes interruptions defibrillation as soon as possible
and chest compressions so more chest connect an AED or defibrillator and if
compressions are delivered resulting in indicated deliver a shock the best
better perfusion studies show that even chance of a patient surviving an episode
health care providers interrupt of cardiac arrest depends on high
compressions far too often and for too quality BLS in some cases BLS results in
long in some cases spending 25 to 50 roske but sometimes cardiac arrest
percent of a code without delivering persists requiring you to continue with
chest compressions the circular BLS more advanced invasive measures that's
algorithm emphasizes the two-minute the time to use the ACLs survey another
period of compressions and ventilations time to use the ACLs survey is if a
punctuated by a break of no more than 10 patient is conscious but needing
seconds to assess the patient and to treatment for ACS you can easily
defibrillation another key step in BLS remember the steps of the ACLs survey by
is providing rapid defibrillation if thinking ABCD a stands for airway for
indicated although CPR can provide vital unconscious patients healthcare
oxygen and blood circulation providers should maintain a patent
defibrillation is essential to airway and consider inserting an
establishing a normal rhythm in patients advanced airway device the resuscitation
with a lethal shockable rhythm the team must ensure proper placement of an
delivery of an electrical shock from a advanced airway if the team chooses an
defibrillator briefly stops all endotracheal tube insertion is the
electrical activity in the heart if the method of airway control
heart is still viable its normal a form capnography should be used
pacemakers may resume electrical conscious patients can often maintain
activity that ultimately results in a the integrity of their own airway and
perfusing rhythm or roske health care providers need only ensure
survival rates are highest when rescuers patency by providing suctioning if
provide CPR immediately and needed
defibrillation for initial shockable B represents breathing for patients
rhythm occurs within 3 to 5 minutes for experiencing cardiac arrest health care
a patient with the shockable rhythm providers should provide two
ventilations with the bag mask after progresses with the arrival of a team of
every 30 chest compressions advanced health care providers
after inserting an advanced airway seven eight nine ten eleven twelve
health care providers should continue thirteen fourteen fifteen okay what have
ventilations by providing one breath we got the patient suddenly collapsed
every six to eight seconds or eight to during a meeting we started CPR
ten breaths per minute if the patient is immediately and we've shocked the
not in cardiac arrest health care patient once one minute 48 seconds ago
providers should assist ventilation is followed by immediate CPR we've got the
needed at a rate of one breath every ECG monitoring attached now it's now 2
five to six seconds or 10 to 12 breaths minutes from our last shock
per minute if the patient does not okay let's analyze this rhythm stand
require assisted ventilation health care back everyone hold chest compressions
providers can support the patient by okay we've got persistent VF resuming
administering oxygen as needed c compressions one two let's deliver a
involves supporting the patient's second shock at 150 joules Dana let's
circulatory status attached ECG leads establish IV access and be prepared to
obtain intravenous or IV access or administer one milligram of epinephrine
interosseous or IO access and give IV charging clear the patient shocking
appropriate drugs to manage rhythms on three one two three shocking shock
finally D stands for differential delivered
diagnosis search foreign treat resuming compressions one two three what
reversible causes or symptoms by do we know about the possible causes
reviewing the h's and t's although these first responder said that the patient
steps are listed in progressive order complained of chest pain before he
the resuscitation team often performs collapsed houses airway I was getting in
them simultaneously with ACLs patient chest rise with a bag mask but now I'm
care is organized around two minute getting significant resistance okay
periods of high-quality CPR when the two let's go ahead and insert an advanced
minutes have ended that's the time to airway
quickly assess the patient with a rhythm Dana once that IV is established you
or pulse check and provide have one milligram of epinephrine and
defibrillation if necessary the pause flush with a 20 milliliters saline bolus
should also be used to rotate okay one milligram epinephrine with a 20
compressors preparing as a team for milliliter saline bolus the idea started
these pauses and choreographing your and one milligram epinephrine and the IV
movements improves patient care is flushed okay thank you let's go ahead
remember and prepare 300 milligrams of amiodarone
iha wants these pauses in CPR to be 10 I'll let you know if and when to give it
seconds or less let's return to our case okay drawing 300 milligrams of
in the training lab to watch how amiodarone the laryngeal tube is in fine
providers incorporate the ACLs survey I've got good bilateral breath sounds
into a scenario where a patient is wave poem capnography is reading 20
suffering from persistent VF the case millimeters of mercury okay great we're
gonna continue chest compressions at a
rate of at least 100 beats per minute
let's give one breath every six to eight
seconds and avoid excessive ventilation
how long since our last shot it's almost
two minutes okay let's get ready to
switch compressors we're gonna stop and
analyze two minutes okay let's analyze
okay we have an organized rhythm with
regular complexes do we have a pulse
we've got a week but palpable pulse in
tidal co2 is now up to 50 millimeters of
mercury okay great job everyone we're
gonna start post cardiac arrest care
I'll need a blood pressure a set of labs
pulse ox and let's get a 12-lead ECG
successful resuscitation following
cardiac arrest requires an integrated
set of coordinated actions which are
represented by the links in the adult
chain of survival these links include
the immediate recognition of cardiac
arrest and activation of the emergency
response system early CPR rapid
defibrillation effective advanced life
support an integrated immediate post
cardiac arrest care healthcare providers
implement this chain of survival through
BLS and ACLs surveys the BLS survey
stresses activation of the emergency
response system early CPR and rapid
defibrillation the ACLs survey airway
breathing circulation and differential
diagnosis integrates advanced techniques
such as advanced Airways quantitative
waveform capnography appropriate drug
delivery and the diagnosis and treatment
of reversible causes successfully
following the American Heart Association
systematic approach to assessing and
treating patients with the BLS and ACLs
surveys can make a difference what you
learn can save lives
How to Conduct Hands only to maintain the level of quality of reviving
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or the patient.
CPR? Remember, when giving chest
compressions
If you are a bystander to an accident it should be “not too hard, not too fast."
and one of your relatives may be a casualty Continue giving CPR until a rescue team
immediately determine if the patient is still arrives
breathing or until you see signs of consciousness
By looking at his or her chest if it is going up such as coughing, opening eyes, speaking,
and down. and starting to breathe normally.
If a person is not breathing As mentioned earlier
We must be prepared to perform hands-only the level of quality in reviving the patient
CPR. must be the same
This situation is very critical If you get tired, there should be an
because within just a few minutes alternative to revive the patient.
The patient may die if CPR will not be In giving hands-only CPR here are the
provided. things to remember:
If you are not alone in the scene Place the heel of your right hand on the
ask someone to immediately call for help patient’s chest.
From an emergency medical service like On top of the abdomen.
911-UNTV. Perform 100-120 compressions
Kneel beside the patient Not too hard and not too fast
cover the left hand with the heel of your Continue giving CPR, until the patient is
other hand revived or until a rescue team arrives.
then place it at the center of the chest on
top of his abdomen.
Make sure that your back, shoulders, and
elbows are straight
As you provide compression to the patient.
Press down on the patient’s chest
for about 2 to 2.4 inches
to make sure that there is blood flowing to
the brain
Perform 100-120 compressions per minute.
In case that you have no formal CPR
training
and just learned it here on Lifesaver’s
program
it is not necessary to try rescue breathing
and instead, continue to perform chest
compression procedures on the patient.
Preferably, it is better to have and alternate
in providing chest compressions
CPR & COVID-19 (Phil. Heart to AED. let it analyze. No touchy touchy.
Association Guidelines) Wait for ambulance. Higher survival rate if
CPR is alternated.
Out of hospital cardiac arrest
PPE- N95, goggles, double gloves, face Sudden cardiac arrest- patient is w/o
shield, gown symptoms. Kuryente sa puso problem. AED
Casual- gloves, mask, face shield stops heart to reset contraction. Supply
Call help, if not sure what to do. oxygenated blood. Ventricular fibrillation is
If untrained, perform hands only CPR only managed by a defibrillator??? Huaw.
Push hard and fast. Di naman laging may AED. Thus CPR is
important whenever you are waiting for AED
Q- Humihinga is CHEST RISE and ambulance.
Call for Help Chest compression- pinapatagal yung
Shoulders are parallel to the victim panginginig. Aanhin mo yung puso kung
Elbows locked tumigil na.
100-120 compressions per minute FLatline- heart has stopped. Anumang
If untrained perform Hands only CPR kuryente, waley na. Heart will not respond.
Push hard and fast But there’s still a possibility.
Signs of life Thus CPR increases survival rate.
Perform high quality CPR AED knows if what you’re doing is right.
“Good compression. Push harder. Push
Ask if the patient is conscious. Tap. faster.” AED guides you on what to do.
Ask for help IF not shockable, check pulse. Either pulse
is normal or it has stopped (ASYSTOLE).
LLF- look, listen, and feel.
Check pulse. (full ppe. Do not come close if Q-
there's none. FIRST PRIORITY IS YOUR You see one of the reason to stop CPR is
OWN HEALTH.) when you defibrillate
Feel your throat, find Laryngeal prominence HQCPR is minimizing interruptions
or ADAM’s apple. Feel through the pulse. There is a law which requires places with
Either pulse has stopped or is weak. See if sick populations like Pharmacies will be
there's chest rise. If there’s no pulse, required to install their own AEDs
perform CPR. CHest compression. If there’s Survival rate of CPR is just 8-10%
no barrier. Ambu bag?? Is not used Asystole is absence of electrical impulse so
anymore unless there's a filter because it’s NO DEFIBRILLATION
not disposable. Secretions. Endotracheal Defibrillation ORGANIZES a disorganized
intubation is used in the hospital instead. rhythm like VF, pulseless VTach which are
MTMR is not allowed. Mouth-to mouth shockable rhythms
resus.
2-2.4 DEPTH for blood to reach into the
Shockable- automated external defibrillator brain and vital organs. POssibility that
(AED) there’s survival. Wag sa beach. Recoil is
Remove the patient's clothes. Shave if hairy. maintained.
On device. Apply pads on chest. Plug pads
PAG TUMIGIL TAYO, TITIGIL NA DIN ANG of rescuers to achieve a CCF greater than
PUSO, THUS CONTINUOUS ANG CPR 80%.
CHEST COMPRESSION. 5. • Ventilation: 2 breaths after 30
compressions without an advanced airway;
Epinephrine is given. Out of hospital, the 1 breath every 6 seconds with an advanced
only thing you can do is chest compre. airway.

After resus, all the PPE is to be thrown MTMR is not allowed. An Ambu bag is used
away. Be extra careful. Wag mong galawin with a mouthpiece. No actual MTM even
pag wala kang equipment. Baka mahawa ka before COVID. Not during COVID, it is
pa. Pakielamera. preferred to do hands-only CPR with a
barrier: N95. Cover patient with plastic chest
upto head. Protect yo self. Need not rush
What are the 5 components of high quality chest compre, allowable time to gear up
CPR? prior to starting or resuming ALS/BLS.
Five main components of high-performance Ambu bags are not used unless there’s a
CPR have been identified: viral filter. Even though it is a closed
chest compression fraction (less than 80% mechanism, it still is needed to use viral
CCF), filters. A brand of a bag valve. Bag valves
chest compression rate (100-120 are generic. Tube in a viral chuchu.
compressions per minute),
chest compression depth (2-2.4 inches or
5-6cm depth),
allow for chest recoil on a flat surface
(residual leaning),
and ventilation.
Minimize interruptions.
These CPR components were identified
because of their contribution to blood flow
and outcome.

PHA- push hard and fast.


AHA- nah. Contrary

1. • Depth: 2–2.4 inches (5–6 centimeters)


2. • Compression rate: 100–120/minute
3. • Recoil: Allow for full recoil after each
compression. No leaning.
4. • Minimize pauses. Get the chest
compression fraction (CCF), the percentage
of time CPR is being delivered, as high as
possible, with a target of at least 60%. It
may be reasonable with a sufficient number
MegaCode and Team management okay let's go ahead and start her on 2
- ACLS AHA liters of o2 miss Fernandez we've got
you hooked up to a monitor so we can
team dynamics are critical during a take a look at your heart rhythm okay
resuscitation attempt the interaction and we've started you on oxygen so you
among team members has a profound can breathe a little easier if pulse ox
impact reading is 95% with 2 liters of o2
on the effectiveness of each individual dr. right okay it looks like we have
as well as the patient's overall sinus bradycardia Dana let's go ahead
survival the better you work as a team and get an IV started right now miss
the better the potential outcome for Fernandez mrs. Fernandez can you hear
your patient that's why it's so me
important that you understand not just mrs. Fernandez she's unresponsive you
what to do in a resuscitation attempt feel a pulse okay let's call a code the
but how to communicate and perform as an patient's gone into v-fib start chest
effective team regardless of your role compressions three compressions Mandell
as team member or team leader welcome to you'll be on defibrillator Shelley
the American Heart Association's you'll be recording recording Sam you'll
megacode and team resuscitation video in manage the airway Dana have you been
this video we're going to demonstrate able to establish an IV access yet I've
and model an effective resuscitation tried several times but it's failed okay
team in a case scenario our simulation let's move on to IO access please let me
will have six team members you may have try oh access six twenty seven twenty
fewer members depending on the situation eight twenty nine thirty one two three
so be prepared to adjust your roles four five six seven eight nine ten
accordingly our case study begins in a charging at 200 joules shock Witte clear
local emergency department where a 65 the patient shocking on three one two
year old woman has been brought in three shocking shock delivered
complaining of epigastric and back I have IO access now great we'll
discomfort hello I'm dr. Jackson what's continue CPR for two minutes and
bothering you today doctor I don't feel evaluate the need for additional
good I feel really bad I'm dizzy and I'm defibrillation Shelley I'll rely on you
sick of my stomach my son was really to monitor the quality of the chest
worried about me what me in ok are you compressions Dana you'll need to draw
having chest pain right now the drugs up before each rhythm check so
no but I'm party started in my stomach if the arrest persists we can move
and now it's in my back okay we're gonna quickly to drug therapy let's begin with
see if we can find out what's going on one milligram of epinephrine all right
okay one milligram epinephrine three two
joette do we have a set of vitals from minutes
this Fernandez yeah blood pressure is 70 okay let's analyze switch roles
over 40 heart rate is 45 beats per okay the patient remains in v-fib the
minute respiratory rate is 16 breasts protocol for this biphasic device is
for a minute and pulse ox is 92 percent escalated dosing let's shock again at
300 joules shocking at 300 joules Cold NSS is used
charging clear the patient shocking on Check vital signs during ROSC
three ECG is STEMI PCI will be done
one two three shocking shock delivered Team debriefing
continue CPR continue compressions one Offer affirmation
two Dana please give one milligram of Supra glottic airway
epinephrine Alternative to ET tube as advanced airway
one milligram epinephrine and the Iowa Confusion at the start
squished great Good communication skills like a closed
we've given two shocks and given one loop communication
milligram of epinephrine the next No horsing around during a code
medication to consider is amiodarone Assigning roles again
they know please prepare 300 milligrams IO is intraosseous
of amiodarone trying 300 milligrams of Location of IO is at the left tibia
amiodarone Sam are you getting good Biphasic devise 200
chest rise yes Epinephrine 1 mg
and I'm being careful not to deliver Shock delivered then
ventilations too quickly or porcelain Anti arrhythmic given
okay great let's continue there two Vasopressin is only given inlace of the first
Minutes or second epinephrine
From Peter Quilala to Everyone 10:19 AM
Q- Roles have been specified 5H and 6Ts
Perform BLS Ventricular fibrillation The role of the Chinese girl is the
Patient is V fib pharmacist’s role
Shocked defibrillated ET inserted
Dana is the medication Nurse Hooked to BV and ventilation resumed
2 shocks delivered Post Cardiac Care Algorithm after ROSC
Epinephrine given 1 mg
Amiodarone 300mg prepared
Epinephrine given 1 mg okay let's analyze switch roles okay the
Amiodarone 300mg prepared patient is in persistent VF let's shock
2 minutes switch roles, analyze rhythm still again at 360 joules charging at 360
at Vfib joules shock ready clear the patient
Amiodarione given shocking on three one two three shocking
Reversible cause of cardiac arrest consider shock delivered
6H and 5Ts continue CPR continuing CPR f1 shoot we
Sinus Bradycardia without pulse continue can't give amiodarone now thanks Shelley
compressions Dana please give 300 milligrams of
In the 2021 guidelines Vasopressin is NO amiodarone hey senator milligrams of
LONGER advised amiodarone given and the IO is flushed
Rapi weak pulse ROSC or return of we've given three shocks after the
spontaneous circulation second shock we administered one
Therapeutic hypothermia protects the brain milligram of epinephrine and we've just
after ROSC given 300 milligrams of amiodarone our
next drug will be vasopressin Dana patient's blood pressure is 82 over 40
please prepare 40 units of vasopressin with a heart rate of 130 and a rhythm of
trying 40 units of vasopressin signs tachycardia okay the patient is
let's review any reversible causes by hypotensive let's start with a liter of
considering the hsm TS saline since we've started with
what about hypervolemia that's a good hypothermia let's use cold saline for
thought we have IO access established the bolus yeah we'll switch out for cold
but no obvious signs of internal or saline tubes in
external bleeding anybody else have any oK we've got good breath sounds let's
other suggestions have we considered establish waveform capnography the o2
hypoxia is the airway still patent still saturation is 96% here's a 12-lead okay
getting good test ride she came in with she has a STEMI Mandel please call the
epigastric discomfort and symptomatic cath lab and tell them that we have a
bradycardia have we considered coronary STEMI patient PCI and hypothermia can be
thrombosis that's a great point safely combined after cardiac arrest the
everything seems to suggest a STEMI two return of spontaneous circulation or
minutes okay let's analyze switch roles roske is no longer the end of the
okay the monitor shows sinus bradycardia cardiac arrest protocol more scientific
do we have a pulse I don't feel a pulse studies show that survival rates improve
continue chest compressions dictate you significantly with the comprehensive
a taste compressions one two three system of post cardiac arrest care it is
Shelly how long has it been since our important to know your local systems
last dose of epinephrine three minutes plan for the management of post cardiac
okay arrest patients hypothermia is the only
Dana let's go ahead and give 40 units of intervention that has been shown to
vasopressin 40 units of vasopressin improve neurologic recovery the
given and the IO is flushed Mandel your resuscitation team should consider
compressions are slowing down can you inducing hypothermia for any patient who
pick up the pace of it two minutes remains comatose after Ross several
let's analyze switch roles studies show improved outcomes for
okay the monitor shows sinus tachycardia patients whose bodies were cooled to 32
Sam do we have a pulse to 34 degrees Celsius for 12 to 24 hours
I can feel a rapid weak pulse okay great a new recommendation in the 2010
let's initiate immediate post cardiac guidelines is the introduction of a
arrest care Dana let's get a blood structured team debriefing studies show
pressure a complete set of vital signs teams who debrief together perform
pulse ox and labs Mandel let's start a better on subsequent codes here's how
12-lead ECG please can we check to see team debriefing differs from simple
if this patient is breathing and feedback feedback is geared toward
responsive ma'am can you squeeze my correcting actions effective debriefing
fingers she's still unresponsive still focuses on correcting the thought
not breathing process that leads to the action while
okay let's insert an advanced airway and debriefing takes longer than simple
prepare for therapeutic hypothermia your feedback it results in deeper
understanding the hallmark of structured especially if ventilations became too
debriefing is a learner centered self difficult one benefit of using a
analysis and active participation in bag-mask ventilation is that
discussion the goal is to gather ventilations are at regular intervals
information on how the code progressed and it kept me from ventilating too much
to analyze the information to create an however because she wasn't intubated we
accurate record and to summarize the didn't have in tidal co2 readings to
goals for future improvement monitor CPR quality or detector Oscar
thanks team nice job I made a few notes yeah that's a good observation it is a
during my evaluation so let's talk about trade-off when to consider inserting an
what went well and why you made the advanced airway Dana how did you feel
decisions that you made well from my about your treatment especially moving
perspective I thought the code went very to IO access early in the code IO access
well Shelly did a good job monitoring and adults is new to me but I found that
the quality of chest compressions Shelly it was easy to push drugs through so
did we have any prolonged pauses or what are the take-home messages I
interruptions in the chest compressions thought it was great that we assigned
no Joette Mandel both switched positions code team roles early in the day because
quickly and resume compressions when the code was called I knew exactly
even as the defibrillator was charging what I supposed to do yeah because
Mandel did you get tired or have any before we did that we'd walk into a room
trouble with the pace of compressions at and there'd be some confusion good
the end of the code I was starting to anything else okay again nice job
slow down but Shelly was able to correct successful teams not only have medical
the rate of compression so I was able to expertise and mastery of resuscitation
pick up the pace it is easy to lose skills they also practice good
track of how fast you should be communication skills and adhere to the
compressing so having someone pacing key elements of effective team dynamics
you these elements help teams work together
through the code is helpful yeah maybe in the most efficient way possible let's
we should use a metronome to help keep review those now closed loop
pace or make it standard practice to do communication this is important for both
compression checks at points during the the team leader and team members when
code that's a good idea let's try that the team leader gives an order the team
next time Sam what do you think of member should confirm that he or she
managing the arrest without an advanced heard and understood the order the team
airway we were getting good chest rising leader should make sure the team
entire time so we didn't need to member understood the order before
interrupt chest compressions to insert assigning additional tasks clear messages
an endotracheal tube you know we could Using concise clear language helps prevent
have inserted a supraglottic airway that misunderstandings speaking in a tone of
could have been done without voice that is loud enough to understand
interrupting the chest compressions you but also calm and confident helps keep
know that could have been an option all team members focused on the task at
hand clear roles and responsibilities as a team during the code reviewing how
when everyone knows their job and a code went not only helps individual
responsibilities during a code the team team members perform better and
functions smoothly the team leader subsequent codes but may also bring
should clearly define and delegate tasks system deficiencies to light now we'll
according to each team members area of play the mega code resuscitation case
competence know your limitations every study again this time as you watch look
member on the team should know his or for the key elements of effective team
her limitations and the team leader dynamics closed loop communication:
should be aware of them ask for clear messages, clear roles and
assistance and advice early not when the responsibilities, knowing one's
situation deteriorates knowledge sharing limitations, knowledge sharing,
this is a critical component of constructive intervention, summarizing
effective team performance team leaders and re-evaluation, and mutual respect
should ask for good ideas for a the
differential diagnosis and frequently patient's gone into v-fib start chest
ask for observations from team members compressions any compressions
about possible oversights constructive Mandell you'll be on defibrillator
intervention sometimes a team member or shellie you'll be recording recording
the team leader may correct actions that Sam you'll manage the airway Dana have
are incorrect or inappropriate it's you been able to establish an IV access
important to be tactful especially if yet I've tried several times but it's
you have to correct a colleague who is failed okay let's move on to IO access
about to make a mistake whether it's a please let me tayo access 6 27 28 29 30
drug dosage or intervention summarizing two three four five six seven eight nine
and re-evaluation summarizing ten
information out loud is a good way to charging at 200 joules shock ready clear
maintain an ongoing record of treatment the patient shocking on three one two
and acts as a way to reevaluate the three shocking shock delivered
patient's status the interventions I have i/o access now great we'll
performed and where the team is within continue CPR for two minutes and
the algorithm of care this technique can evaluate the need for additional
also help team members respond to defibrillation Shelly I'll rely on you
the patient's changing condition finally to monitor the quality of the chest
all team members should display mutual compressions Dana you'll need to draw
respect in a professional attitude to the drugs up before each rhythm check so
other team members regardless of their if the arrest persists we can move
personal expertise or training it's quickly to drug therapy let's begin with
important that the team leaders speak in one milligram of epinephrine all right
a friendly controlled voice avoiding one milligram epinephrine three two
shouting or unnecessary aggression not minutes
only is it important to know what to do okay let's analyze switch roles okay the
during a megacode event it's as patient remains in v-fib the protocol
important to know how to work together for this biphasic device is escalated
dosing let's shock again at 300 joules other suggestions have we considered
shocking at 300 joules charging clear hypoxia is the airway still patent still
the patient shocking on three one two good and good test ride
three she came in with epigastric discomfort
shocking shock delivered continue CPR and symptomatic bradycardia probably
configure compressions one Dana please considered a coronary thrombosis that's
give one milligram of epinephrine one a great point everything seems to
milligram epinephrine and the iowa's suggest a STEMI two minutes
pushed okay let's analyze switch roles okay the
great we've given two shocks and given monitor shows sinus bradycardia do we
one milligram of epinephrine the next have a pulse I don't feel a pulse
medication to consider is amiodarone continue chest compressions picked on
they know please prepare 300 milligrams you at chest compressions one two three
of amiodarone trying 300 milligrams of Shelly how long has it been since our
amiodarone Sam are you getting good last dose of epinephrine three minutes
chest rise yes okay Dana let's go ahead and give 40
and I'm being careful not to deliver units of vasopressin 40 units of
ventilations too quickly or forcefully vasopressin given and the IO is flushed
okay great let's continue there two Mandel your compressions are slowing
minutes down can you pick up the pace a bit two
okay let's analyze switch roles okay the minutes
patient is in persistent VF let's shock let's analyze switch roles
again at 360 joules charging at 360 okay the monitor shows sinus tachycardia
joules shock ready clear the patient Sam do we have a pulse
shocking on three one two three shocking I can feel a rapid weak pulse okay great
shock delivered let's initiate immediate post cardiac
continue CPR continuing CPR one two arrest care Dana let's get a blood
three we can give amiodarone now thanks pressure a complete set of vital signs
Shelley Dana please give 300 milligrams pulse ox and labs Mandel let's start a
of amiodarone Hey Center milligrams of 12-lead ECG please can we check to see
amiodarone given and the IO is flushed if this patient is breathing and
we've given three shocks after the unresponsive ma'am can you squeeze my
second shock we administered one fingers she's still unresponsive
milligram of epinephrine and we've just still not breathing okay let's insert an
given 300 milligrams of amiodarone our advanced airway and prepare for
next drug will be vasopressin Dana therapeutic hypothermia the patient's
please prepare 40 units of vasopressin blood pressure has 82 over 40 with a
on 40 units of vasopressin heart rate of 130 in a rhythm of science
let's review any reversible causes by tech a cardio okay the patient is
considering the hsm TS hypotensive let's start with a liter of
what about hypervolemia that's a good saline
thought we have IO access established since we've started with hypothermia
but no obvious signs of internal or let's use cold saline for the bolus yeah
external bleeding anybody else have any we'll switch out for cold saline
tubes in
oK we've got good breath sounds let's
establish waveform capnography the o2
saturation is 96% here's a 12-lead okay
she has a STEMI Mandel please call the
cath lab and tell them that we have a
STEMI patient PCI and hypothermia can be
safely combined after cardiac arrest in
this section of the course we've shown
you the key steps involved in the adult
cardiac arrest algorithm as well as the
post cardiac care algorithm to promote a
positive patient outcome in the event of
the return of spontaneous circulation
you've also evaluated the megacode
scenario with the key elements of
effective team dynamics and structured
team debriefing combining your knowledge
of essential arrest skills with
effective team dynamics can give your
team a better chance of success with
every resuscitation attempt
Topics

Adult Pediatric
Basic and Basic and Resuscitation
Neonatal Life Systems of
Advanced Advanced Education
Support Care
Life Support Life Support Science

Introduction
These Highlights summarize the key issues and changes in the 2020 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). The 2020 Guidelines are a comprehensive
revision of the AHA’s guidelines for adult, pediatric, neonatal, resuscitation education science, and systems of care topics.
They have been developed for resuscitation providers and AHA instructors to focus on the resuscitation science and guide-
lines recommendations that are most significant or controversial, or those that will result in changes in resuscitation training
and practice, and to provide the rationale for the recommendations.
Because this publication is a summary, it does not reference the supporting published studies and does not list Classes
of Recommendation (COR) or Levels of Evidence (LOE). For more detailed information and references, please read the 2020
AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC, including the Executive Summary,1 published in Circulation in October 2020, and the
detailed summary of resuscitation science in the 2020 International Consensus on CPR and ECC Science With Treatment
Recommendations, developed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and published simultaneously
in Circulation2 and Resuscitation3 in October 2020. The methods used by ILCOR to perform evidence evaluations4 and by the
AHA to translate these evidence evaluations into resuscitation guidelines5 have been published in detail.
The 2020 Guidelines use the most recent version of the AHA definitions for the COR and LOE (Figure 1). Overall, 491
specific recommendations are made for adult, pediatric, and neonatal life support; resuscitation education science; and
systems of care. Of these recommendations, 161 are class 1 and 293 are class 2 recommendations (Figure 2). Additionally, 37
recommendations are class 3, including 19 for evidence of no benefit and 18 for evidence of harm.

The American Heart Association thanks the following people for their contributions to the development of this publication: Eric J. Lavonas,
MD, MS; David J. Magid, MD, MPH; Khalid Aziz, MBBS, BA, MA, MEd(IT); Katherine M. Berg, MD; Adam Cheng, MD; Amber V.
Hoover, RN, MSN; Melissa Mahgoub, PhD; Ashish R. Panchal, MD, PhD; Amber J. Rodriguez, PhD; Alexis A. Topjian, MD, MSCE;
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD; and the AHA Guidelines Highlights Project Team.
© 2020 American Heart Association

eccguidelines.heart.org 1
Figure 1. Applying Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence to Clinical Strategies, Interventions, Treatments, or Diagnostic
Testing in Patient Care (Updated May 2019)*

2 American Heart Association


Figure 2. Distribution of COR and LOE as percent of 491 total recommendations in the 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.*

*Results are percent of 491 recommendations in Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Life
Support, Resuscitation Education Science, and Systems of Care.
Abbreviations: COR, Classes of Recommendation; EO, expert opinion; LD, limited data; LOE, Level of Evidence; NR, nonrandomized; R, Randomized.

About the Recommendations


The fact that only 6 of these 491 recommendations (1.2%) are based on Level A evidence (at least 1 high-quality randomized
clinical trial [RCT], corroborated by a second high-quality trial or registry study) testifies to the ongoing challenges in perform-
ing high-quality resuscitation research. A concerted national and international effort is needed to fund and otherwise support
resuscitation research.
Both the ILCOR evidence-evaluation process and the AHA guidelines-development process are governed by strict AHA
disclosure policies designed to make relationships with industry and other conflicts of interest fully transparent and to
protect these processes from undue influence. The AHA staff processed conflict-of-interest disclosures from all participants.
All guidelines writing group chairs and at least 50% of guidelines writing group members are required to be free of all
conflicts of interest, and all relevant relationships are disclosed in the respective Consensus on Science With Treatment
Recommendations and Guidelines publications.

eccguidelines.heart.org 3
Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support
Summary of Key Issues and Major Changes pressure control, evaluation for percutaneous coronary
In 2015, approximately 350 000 adults in the United States intervention, targeted temperature management, and
experienced nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest multimodal neuroprognostication.
(OHCA) attended by emergency medical services (EMS) • Because recovery from cardiac arrest continues long
personnel. Despite recent gains, less than 40% of adults after the initial hospitalization, patients should have formal
receive layperson-initiated CPR, and fewer than 12% have assessment and support for their physical, cognitive, and
an automated external defibrillator (AED) applied before EMS psychosocial needs.
arrival. After significant improvements, survival from OHCA
• After a resuscitation, debriefing for lay rescuers, EMS
has plateaued since 2012.
providers, and hospital-based healthcare workers may be
In addition, approximately 1.2% of adults admitted to US beneficial to support their mental health and well-being.
hospitals suffer in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Outcomes
from IHCA are significantly better than outcomes from OHCA, • Management of cardiac arrest in pregnancy focuses on
and IHCA outcomes continue to improve. maternal resuscitation, with preparation for early perimortem
cesarean delivery if necessary to save the infant and
Recommendations for adult basic life support (BLS) and
improve the chances of successful resuscitation of
advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) are combined
the mother.
in the 2020 Guidelines. Major new changes include the
following:
Algorithms and Visual Aids
• Enhanced algorithms and visual aids provide easy-to- The writing group reviewed all algorithms and made focused
remember guidance for BLS and ACLS resuscitation improvements to visual training aids to ensure their utility as
scenarios. point-of-care tools and reflect the latest science. The major
• The importance of early initiation of CPR by lay rescuers changes to algorithms and other performance aids include
has been re-emphasized. the following:

• Previous recommendations about epinephrine • A sixth link, Recovery, was added to the IHCA and OHCA
administration have been reaffirmed, with emphasis on Chains of Survival (Figure 3).
early epinephrine administration. • The universal Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm was modified
• Use of real-time audiovisual feedback is suggested as a to emphasize the role of early epinephrine administration for
means to maintain CPR quality. patients with nonshockable rhythms (Figure 4).

• Continuously measuring arterial blood pressure and end- • Two new Opioid-Associated Emergency Algorithms have
tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) during ACLS resuscitation been added for lay rescuers and trained rescuers
may be useful to improve CPR quality. (Figures 5 and 6).

• On the basis of the most recent evidence, routine use of • The Post–Cardiac Arrest Care Algorithm was updated to
double sequential defibrillation is not recommended. emphasize the need to prevent hyperoxia, hypoxemia, and
hypotension (Figure 7).
• Intravenous (IV) access is the preferred route of medication
administration during ACLS resuscitation. Intraosseous (IO) • A new diagram has been added to guide and inform
access is acceptable if IV access is not available. neuroprognostication (Figure 8).

• Care of the patient after return of spontaneous circulation • A new Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Algorithm has been
(ROSC) requires close attention to oxygenation, blood added to address these special cases (Figure 9).

4 American Heart Association


Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support

Despite recent gains, less than 40%


of adults receive layperson-initiated
CPR, and fewer than 12% have an
AED applied before EMS arrival.

Figure 3. AHA Chains of Survival for adult IHCA and OHCA.

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Figure 4. Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

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Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support

Figure 5. Opioid-Associated Emergency for Lay Responders Algorithm.

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Figure 6. Opioid-Associated Emergency for Healthcare Providers Algorithm.

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Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support

Figure 7. Adult Post–Cardiac Arrest Care Algorithm.

eccguidelines.heart.org 9
Figure 8. Recommended approach to multimodal neuroprognostication in adult patients after cardiac arrest.

10 American Heart Association


Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support

Figure 9. Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy In-Hospital ACLS Algorithm.

eccguidelines.heart.org 11
Major New and Updated and unfavorable neurologic outcome in when feasible to monitor and optimize
the epinephrine group. CPR quality, guide vasopressor therapy,
Recommendations
Of 16 observational studies on and detect ROSC.
Early Initiation of CPR by Lay Rescuers timing in the recent systematic review, Why: Although the use of physiologic
all found an association between monitoring such as arterial blood
2020 (Updated): We recommend that earlier epinephrine and ROSC for pressure and ETCO2 to monitor CPR
laypersons initiate CPR for presumed patients with nonshockable rhythms, quality is an established concept,
cardiac arrest because the risk of harm although improvements in survival new data support its inclusion in the
to the patient is low if the patient is not were not universally seen. For patients guidelines. Data from the AHA’s Get
in cardiac arrest. with shockable rhythm, the literature With The Guidelines®-Resuscitation
2010 (Old): The lay rescuer should not supports prioritizing defibrillation and registry show higher likelihood of
check for a pulse and should assume CPR initially and giving epinephrine ROSC when CPR quality is monitored
that cardiac arrest is present if an adult if initial attempts with CPR and using either ETCO2 or diastolic blood
suddenly collapses or an unrespon- defibrillation are not successful. pressure.
sive victim is not breathing normally. Any drug that increases the rate This monitoring depends on the
The healthcare provider should take of ROSC and survival but is given presence of an endotracheal tube (ETT)
no more than 10 seconds to check for after several minutes of downtime or arterial line, respectively. Targeting
a pulse and, if the rescuer does not will likely increase both favorable and compressions to an ETCO2 value of at
definitely feel a pulse within that time unfavorable neurologic outcome. least 10 mm Hg, and ideally 20 mm Hg
period, the rescuer should start chest Therefore, the most beneficial or greater, may be useful as a marker
compressions. approach seems to be continuing of CPR quality. An ideal target has not
to use a drug that has been shown been identified.
Why: New evidence shows that the risk
of harm to a victim who receives chest to increase survival while focusing
compressions when not in cardiac broader efforts on shortening time Double Sequential Defibrillation
arrest is low. Lay rescuers are not able to drug for all patients; by doing so, Not Supported
to determine with accuracy whether more survivors will have a favorable
a victim has a pulse, and the risk of neurologic outcome. 2020 (New): The usefulness of double
withholding CPR from a pulseless victim sequential defibrillation for refractory
exceeds the harm from unneeded chest Real-Time Audiovisual Feedback shockable rhythm has not been
compressions. established.
2020 (Unchanged/Reaffirmed): It may be
Why: Double sequential defibrillation
Early Administration of Epinephrine reasonable to use audiovisual feedback
is the practice of applying near-
devices during CPR for real-time
simultaneous shocks using 2
2020 (Unchanged/Reaffirmed): With optimization of CPR performance.
defibrillators. Although some case
respect to timing, for cardiac arrest Why: A recent RCT reported a 25% reports have shown good outcomes,
with a nonshockable rhythm, it is increase in survival to hospital dis- a 2020 ILCOR systematic review found
reasonable to administer epinephrine charge from IHCA with audio feedback no evidence to support double sequen-
as soon as feasible. on compression depth and recoil. tial defibrillation and recommended
2020 (Unchanged/Reaffirmed): With against its routine use. Existing studies
respect to timing, for cardiac arrest with Physiologic Monitoring of CPR Quality are subject to multiple forms of bias,
a shockable rhythm, it may be reason- and observational studies do not show
able to administer epinephrine after 2020 (Updated): It may be reasonable to improvements in outcome.
initial defibrillation attempts have failed. use physiologic parameters such as A recent pilot RCT suggests that
arterial blood pressure or ETCO2 when changing the direction of defibrillation
Why: The suggestion to administer feasible to monitor and optimize
epinephrine early was strengthened current by repositioning the pads may
CPR quality. be as effective as double sequential
to a recommendation on the basis of a
systematic review and meta-analysis, 2015 (Old): Although no clinical study has defibrillation while avoiding the risks
which included results of 2 randomized examined whether titrating resuscita- of harm from increased energy and
trials of epinephrine enrolling more than tive efforts to physiologic parameters damage to defibrillators. On the basis
8500 patients with OHCA, showing during CPR improves outcome, it may of current evidence, it is not known
that epinephrine increased ROSC and be reasonable to use physiologic whether double sequential defibrillation
survival. At 3 months, the time point felt parameters (quantitative waveform cap- is beneficial.
to be most meaningful for neurologic nography, arterial relaxation diastolic
recovery, there was a nonsignificant in- pressure, arterial pressure monitoring,
crease in survivors with both favorable and central venous oxygen saturation)

12 American Heart Association


Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support

IV Access Preferred Over IO The 2020 Guidelines evaluate 19 improvement) as well as recognition of
different modalities and specific the natural stressors associated with
2020 (New): It is reasonable for providers findings and present the evidence caring for a patient near death. An AHA
to first attempt establishing IV access for each. A new diagram presents scientific statement devoted to this
for drug administration in cardiac arrest. this multimodal approach to topic is expected in early 2021.
2020 (Updated): IO access may be neuroprognostication.
considered if attempts at IV access are Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy
unsuccessful or not feasible. Care and Support During Recovery
2020 (New): Because pregnant patients
2010 (Old): It is reasonable for providers 2020 (New): We recommend that cardiac are more prone to hypoxia, oxygenation
to establish intraosseous (IO) access arrest survivors have multimodal reha- and airway management should be
if intravenous (IV) access is not readily bilitation assessment and treatment for prioritized during resuscitation from
available. physical, neurologic, cardiopulmonary, cardiac arrest in pregnancy.
Why: A 2020 ILCOR systematic review and cognitive impairments before 2020 (New): Because of potential
comparing IV versus IO (principally discharge from the hospital. interference with maternal resusci-
pretibial placement) drug administra- 2020 (New): We recommend that cardiac tation, fetal monitoring should not be
tion during cardiac arrest found that arrest survivors and their caregivers undertaken during cardiac arrest in
the IV route was associated with better receive comprehensive, multidisci- pregnancy.
clinical outcomes in 5 retrospective plinary discharge planning, to include 2020 (New): We recommend targeted
studies; subgroup analyses of RCTs medical and rehabilitative treatment temperature management for pregnant
that focused on other clinical questions recommendations and return to women who remain comatose after
found comparable outcomes when IV activity/work expectations. resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
or IO were used for drug administration.
Although IV access is preferred, for 2020 (New): We recommend structured 2020 (New): During targeted tempera-
situations in which IV access is difficult, assessment for anxiety, depression, ture management of the pregnant
IO access is a reasonable option. posttraumatic stress, and fatigue for patient, it is recommended that the
cardiac arrest survivors and their fetus be continuously monitored for
Post–Cardiac Arrest Care and caregivers. bradycardia as a potential complication,
Neuroprognostication Why: The process of recovering from and obstetric and neonatal consultation
cardiac arrest extends long after the should be sought.
The 2020 Guidelines contain signifi- initial hospitalization. Support is needed Why: Recommendations for manag-
cant new clinical data about optimal during recovery to ensure optimal ing cardiac arrest in pregnancy were
care in the days after cardiac arrest. physical, cognitive, and emotional reviewed in the 2015 Guidelines Update
Recommendations from the 2015 well-being and return to social/role and a 2015 AHA scientific statement.7
AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and functioning. This process should be Airway, ventilation, and oxygenation
ECC about treatment of hypotension, initiated during the initial hospitalization are particularly important in the setting
titrating oxygen to avoid both hypoxia and continue as long as needed. These of pregnancy because of an increase
and hyperoxia, detection and treatment themes are explored in greater detail in in maternal metabolism, a decrease in
of seizures, and targeted temperature a 2020 AHA scientific statement.6 functional reserve capacity due to the
management were reaffirmed with new gravid uterus, and the risk of fetal brain
supporting evidence. Debriefings for Rescuers injury from hypoxemia.
In some cases, the LOE was Evaluation of the fetal heart is not
2020 (New): Debriefings and referral for
upgraded to reflect the availability of helpful during maternal cardiac arrest,
follow up for emotional support for
new data from RCTs and high-quality lay rescuers, EMS providers, and and it may distract from necessary
observational studies, and the post– hospital-based healthcare workers resuscitation elements. In the absence
cardiac arrest care algorithm has after a cardiac arrest event may be of data to the contrary, pregnant
been updated to emphasize these beneficial. women who survive cardiac arrest
important components of care. To be should receive targeted temperature
reliable, neuroprognostication should Why: Rescuers may experience anxiety management just as any other survivors
be performed no sooner than 72 or posttraumatic stress about providing would, with consideration for the status
or not providing BLS. Hospital-based of the fetus that may remain in utero.
hours after return to normothermia,
care providers may also experience
and prognostic decisions should be
emotional or psychological effects of
based on multiple modes of patient
caring for a patient with cardiac arrest.
assessment.
Team debriefings may allow a review of
team performance (education, quality

eccguidelines.heart.org 13
Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support
Summary of Key Issues and Major Changes or norepinephrine infusions if vasopressors are needed,
More than 20 000 infants and children have a cardiac arrest is appropriate in resuscitation from septic shock.
each year in the United States. Despite increases in survival • On the basis largely of extrapolation from adult data,
and comparatively good rates of good neurologic outcome balanced blood component resuscitation is reasonable
after pediatric IHCA, survival rates from pediatric OHCA for infants and children with hemorrhagic shock.
remain poor, particularly in infants. Recommendations
• Opioid overdose management includes CPR and the timely
for pediatric basic life support (PBLS) and CPR in infants,
administration of naloxone by either lay rescuers or trained
children, and adolescents have been combined with rec-
rescuers.
ommendations for pediatric advanced life support (PALS)
in a single document in the 2020 Guidelines. The causes • Children with acute myocarditis who have arrhythmias, heart
of cardiac arrest in infants and children differ from cardiac block, ST-segment changes, or low cardiac output are at
arrest in adults, and a growing body of pediatric-specif- high risk of cardiac arrest. Early transfer to an intensive care
ic evidence supports these recommendations. Key issues, unit is important, and some patients may require mechanical
major changes, and enhancements in the 2020 Guidelines circulatory support or extracorporeal life support (ECLS).
include the following: • Infants and children with congenital heart disease and
• Algorithms and visual aids were revised to incorporate single ventricle physiology who are in the process of staged
the best science and improve clarity for PBLS and PALS reconstruction require special considerations in PALS
resuscitation providers. management.
• Based on newly available data from pediatric resuscitations, • Management of pulmonary hypertension may include the
the recommended assisted ventilation rate has been use of inhaled nitric oxide, prostacyclin, analgesia, sedation,
increased to 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds (20-30 breaths neuromuscular blockade, the induction of alkalosis, or
per minute) for all pediatric resuscitation scenarios. rescue therapy with ECLS.
• Cuffed ETTs are suggested to reduce air leak and the need Algorithms and Visual Aids
for tube exchanges for patients of any age who require
The writing group updated all algorithms to reflect the latest
intubation.
science and made several major changes to improve the
• The routine use of cricoid pressure during intubation is no visual training and performance aids:
longer recommended.
• A new pediatric Chain of Survival was created for IHCA in
• To maximize the chance of good resuscitation outcomes, infants, children, and adolescents (Figure 10).
epinephrine should be administered as early as possible,
• A sixth link, Recovery, was added to the pediatric OHCA
ideally within 5 minutes of the start of cardiac arrest from
Chain of Survival and is included in the new pediatric IHCA
a nonshockable rhythm (asystole and pulseless
Chain of Survival (Figure 10).
electrical activity).
• The Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm and the Pediatric
• For patients with arterial lines in place, using feedback from
Bradycardia With a Pulse Algorithm have been updated to
continuous measurement of arterial blood pressure may
reflect the latest science (Figures 11 and 12).
improve CPR quality.
• The single Pediatric Tachycardia With a Pulse Algorithm
• After ROSC, patients should be evaluated for seizures; status
now covers both narrow- and wide-complex tachycardias in
epilepticus and any convulsive seizures should be treated.
pediatric patients (Figure 13).
• Because recovery from cardiac arrest continues long
• Two new Opioid-Associated Emergency Algorithms have
after the initial hospitalization, patients should have formal
been added for lay rescuers and trained rescuers (Figures 5
assessment and support for their physical, cognitive, and
and 6).
psychosocial needs.
• A new checklist is provided for pediatric post–cardiac arrest
• A titrated approach to fluid management, with epinephrine
care (Figure 14).

14 American Heart Association


Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support

The causes of cardiac arrest in infants


and children differ from cardiac
arrest in adults, and a growing body of
pediatric-specific evidence supports
these recommendations.

Figure 10. AHA Chains of Survival for pediatric IHCA and OHCA.

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Figure 11. Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

16 American Heart Association


Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support

Figure 12.  Pediatric Bradycardia With a Pulse Algorithm.

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Figure 13.  Pediatric Tachycardia With a Pulse Algorithm.

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Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support

Figure 14. Pediatric Post–Cardiac Arrest Care Checklist.

eccguidelines.heart.org 19
Major New and Updated Cuffed ETTs Emphasis on Early
Recommendations Epinephrine Administration
2020 (Updated): It is reasonable to
choose cuffed ETTs over uncuffed 2020 (Updated): For pediatric patients in
Changes to the Assisted Ventilation ETTs for intubating infants and children. any setting, it is reasonable to admin-
Rate: Rescue Breathing When a cuffed ETT is used, attention ister the initial dose of epinephrine
should be paid to ETT size, position, within 5 minutes from the start of chest
2020 (Updated): (PBLS) For infants and and cuff inflation pressure (usually
children with a pulse but absent or compressions.
<20-25 cm H2O).
inadequate respiratory effort, it is rea- 2015 (Old): It is reasonable to administer
sonable to give 1 breath every 2010 (Old): Both cuffed and uncuffed epinephrine in pediatric cardiac arrest.
2 to 3 seconds (20-30 breaths/min). ETTs are acceptable for intubating
infants and children. In certain circum- Why: A study of children with IHCA
2010 (Old): (PBLS) If there is a palpa- stances (eg, poor lung compliance, high who received epinephrine for an initial
ble pulse 60/min or greater but there airway resistance, or a large glottic air nonshockable rhythm (asystole and
is inadequate breathing, give rescue leak) a cuffed ETT may be preferable to pulseless electrical activity) demon-
breaths at a rate of about 12 to 20/min an uncuffed tube, provided that atten- strated that, for every minute of delay
(1 breath every 3-5 seconds) until tion is paid to [ensuring appropriate] in administration of epinephrine, there
spontaneous breathing resumes. ETT size, position, and cuff inflation was a significant decrease in ROSC,
pressure. survival at 24 hours, survival to dis-
Changes to the Assisted Ventilation charge, and survival with favorable
Why: Several studies and systematic neurological outcome.
Rate: Ventilation Rate During CPR reviews support the safety of cuffed
With an Advanced Airway Patients who received epinephrine
ETTs and demonstrate decreased need
within 5 minutes of CPR initiation
for tube changes and reintubation.
2020 (Updated): (PALS) When perform- compared with those who received
Cuffed tubes may decrease the risk of
ing CPR in infants and children with an aspiration. Subglottic stenosis is rare epinephrine more than 5 minutes
advanced airway, it may be reasonable when cuffed ETTs are used in children after CPR initiation were more likely
to target a respiratory rate range of and careful technique is followed. to survive to discharge. Studies of
1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds pediatric OHCA demonstrated that
(20-30/min), accounting for age and Cricoid Pressure During Intubation earlier epinephrine administration
clinical condition. Rates exceeding increases rates of ROSC, survival to
these recommendations may 2020 (Updated): Routine use of cricoid intensive care unit admission, survival
compromise hemodynamics. pressure is not recommended during to discharge, and 30-day survival.
2010 (Old): (PALS) If the infant or child is endotracheal intubation of pediatric In the 2018 version of the Pediatric
intubated, ventilate at a rate of about patients. Cardiac Arrest Algorithm, patients
1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) 2010 (Old): There is insufficient evidence with nonshockable rhythms received
without interrupting chest to recommend routine application of epinephrine every 3 to 5 minutes, but
compressions. cricoid pressure to prevent aspiration early administration of epinephrine
during endotracheal intubation in was not emphasized. Although
Why: New data show that higher
children. the sequence of resuscitation has
ventilation rates (at least 30/min in
not changed, the algorithm and
infants [younger than 1 year] and at Why: New studies have shown that
least 25/min in children) are associated recommendation language have been
routine use of cricoid pressure reduces updated to emphasize the importance
with improved rates of ROSC and intubation success rates and does not
survival in pediatric IHCA. Although of giving epinephrine as early as
reduce the rate of regurgitation. The
there are no data about the ideal possible, particularly when the rhythm
writing group has reaffirmed previous
ventilation rate during CPR without is nonshockable.
recommendations to discontinue
an advanced airway, or for children in cricoid pressure if it interferes with
respiratory arrest with or without an ad- ventilation or the speed or ease of Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring to
vanced airway, for simplicity of training, intubation. Assess CPR Quality
the respiratory arrest recommendation
was standardized for both situations. 2020 (Updated): For patients with
continuous invasive arterial blood
pressure monitoring in place at the
time of cardiac arrest, it is reasonable
for providers to use diastolic blood
pressure to assess CPR quality.

20 American Heart Association


Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support

2015 (Old): For patients with invasive treatment of status epilepticus is Corticosteroid Administration
hemodynamic monitoring in place at beneficial in pediatric patients in
the time of cardiac arrest, it may be general. 2020 (New): For infants and children with
reasonable for rescuers to use blood septic shock unresponsive to fluids and
pressure to guide CPR quality. Evaluation and Support for requiring vasoactive support, it may be
Cardiac Arrest Survivors reasonable to consider stress-dose
Why: Providing high-quality chest
corticosteroids.
compressions is critical to successful
resuscitation. A new study shows that, 2020 (New): It is recommended that Why: Although fluids remain the main-
among pediatric patients receiving pediatric cardiac arrest survivors be stay of initial therapy for infants and
CPR with an arterial line in place, evaluated for rehabilitation services. children in shock, especially in hypovo-
rates of survival with favorable neu- 2020 (New): It is reasonable to refer lemic and septic shock, fluid overload
rologic outcome were improved if the pediatric cardiac arrest survivors for can lead to increased morbidity. In
diastolic blood pressure was at least ongoing neurologic evaluation for at recent trials of patients with septic
25 mm Hg in infants and at least least the first year after cardiac arrest. shock, those who received higher fluid
30 mm Hg in children.8 volumes or faster fluid resuscitation
Why: There is growing recognition that were more likely to develop clinically
Detecting and Treating recovery from cardiac arrest continues significant fluid overload and require
long after the initial hospitalization. mechanical ventilation. The writing
Seizures After ROSC Survivors may require ongoing integrat- group reaffirmed previous recommen-
ed medical, rehabilitative, caregiver, and dations to reassess patients after each
2020 (Updated): When resources are
community support in the months to fluid bolus and to use either crystalloid
available, continuous electroencepha-
years after their cardiac arrest. A recent or colloid fluids for septic shock resus-
lography monitoring is recommended
AHA scientific statement highlights the citation.
for the detection of seizures following
importance of supporting patients and
cardiac arrest in patients with Previous versions of the Guidelines
families during this time to achieve the
persistent encephalopathy. did not provide recommendations
best possible long-term outcome.6
about choice of vasopressor or the
2020 (Updated): It is recommended to
Septic Shock use of corticosteroids in septic shock.
treat clinical seizures following
cardiac arrest. Two RCTs suggest that epinephrine
Fluid Boluses is superior to dopamine as the initial
2020 (Updated): It is reasonable to treat vasopressor in pediatric septic shock,
nonconvulsive status epilepticus 2020 (Updated): In patients with septic and norepinephrine is also appropriate.
following cardiac arrest in consultation shock, it is reasonable to administer Recent clinical trials suggest a benefit
with experts. fluid in 10 mL/kg or 20 mL/kg aliquots from corticosteroid administration in
2015 (Old): An electroencephalography with frequent reassessment. some pediatric patients with refractory
for the diagnosis of seizure should be septic shock.
2015 (Old): Administration of an initial
promptly performed and interpreted fluid bolus of 20 mL/kg to infants and
and then should be monitored frequent- children with shock is reasonable,
Hemorrhagic Shock
ly or continuously in comatose patients including those with conditions such
after ROSC. 2020 (New): Among infants and children
as severe sepsis, severe malaria, and with hypotensive hemorrhagic shock
2015 (Old): The same anticonvulsant dengue. following trauma, it is reasonable to
regimens for the treatment of status administer blood products, when avail-
epilepticus caused by other etiologies Choice of Vasopressor able, instead of crystalloid for ongoing
may be considered after cardiac arrest. volume resuscitation.
2020 (New): In infants and children with
Why: For the first time, the Guidelines Why: Previous versions of the
fluid-refractory septic shock, it is rea-
provide pediatric-specific recommen- Guidelines did not differentiate the
sonable to use either epinephrine or
dations for managing seizures after treatment of hemorrhagic shock from
norepinephrine as an initial vasoactive
cardiac arrest. Nonconvulsive sei- other causes of hypovolemic shock. A
infusion.
zures, including nonconvulsive status growing body of evidence (largely from
epilepticus, are common and cannot 2020 (New): In infants and children
adults but with some pediatric data)
be detected without electroenceph- with fluid-refractory septic shock, if
suggests a benefit to early, balanced
alography. Although outcome data epinephrine or norepinephrine are un-
resuscitation using packed red blood
from the post–cardiac arrest popula- available, dopamine may be considered.
cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets.
tion are lacking, both convulsive and Balanced resuscitation is supported by
nonconvulsive status epilepticus are recommendations from the several US
associated with poor outcome, and and international trauma societies.

eccguidelines.heart.org 21
Opioid Overdose for managing children with respiratory Single Ventricle: Recommendations
arrest or cardiac arrest from opioid for the Treatment of Preoperative
2020 (Updated): For patients in overdose.
respiratory arrest, rescue breathing and Postoperative Stage I Palliation
These recommendations are
or bag-mask ventilation should be identical for adults and children, except (Norwood/Blalock-Tausig Shunt) Patients
maintained until spontaneous breathing that compression-ventilation CPR is
returns, and standard PBLS or PALS 2020 (New): Direct (superior vena cava
recommended for all pediatric victims
measures should continue if return of catheter) and/or indirect (near infrared
of suspected cardiac arrest. Naloxone
spontaneous breathing does not occur. spectroscopy) oxygen saturation
can be administered by trained
monitoring can be beneficial to trend
2020 (Updated): For a patient with providers, laypersons with focused and direct management in the critically
suspected opioid overdose who has a training, and untrained laypersons. ill neonate after stage I Norwood
definite pulse but no normal breathing Separate treatment algorithms palliation or shunt placement.
or only gasping (ie, a respiratory arrest), are provided for managing opioid-
in addition to providing standard PBLS associated resuscitation emergencies 2020 (New): In the patient with an appro-
or PALS, it is reasonable for responders by laypersons, who cannot reliably priately restrictive shunt, manipulation
to administer intramuscular or intrana- check for a pulse (Figure 5), and by of pulmonary vascular resistance
sal naloxone. trained rescuers (Figure 6). Opioid- may have little effect, whereas low-
associated OHCA is the subject of a ering systemic vascular resistance
2020 (Updated): For patients known or with the use of systemic vasodilators
suspected to be in cardiac arrest, in the 2020 AHA scientific statement.10
(alpha-adrenergic antagonists and/or
absence of a proven benefit from the phosphodiesterase type III inhibitors),
use of naloxone, standard resuscitative Myocarditis with or without the use of oxygen, can
measures should take priority over be useful to increase systemic delivery
naloxone administration, with a focus 2020 (New): Given the high risk of cardiac
arrest in children with acute myocarditis of oxygen (DO2.)
on high-quality CPR (compressions plus
ventilation). who demonstrate arrhythmias, heart 2020 (New): ECLS after stage I Norwood
block, ST-segment changes, and/or low palliation can be useful to treat low
2015 (Old): Empiric administration of cardiac output, early consideration of systemic DO2.
intramuscular or intranasal naloxone transfer to ICU monitoring and therapy
to all unresponsive opioid-associated 2020 (New): In the situation of known
is recommended.
life-threatening emergency patients or suspected shunt obstruction, it
may be reasonable as an adjunct to 2020 (New): For children with myocarditis is reasonable to administer oxygen,
standard first aid and non–healthcare or cardiomyopathy and refractory low vasoactive agents to increase shunt
provider BLS protocols. cardiac output, prearrest use of ECLS perfusion pressure, and heparin
or mechanical circulatory support can (50-100 units/kg bolus) while preparing
2015 (Old): ACLS providers should be beneficial to provide end-organ for catheter-based or surgical
support ventilation and administer support and prevent cardiac arrest. intervention.
naloxone to patients with a perfusing
cardiac rhythm and opioid-associated 2020 (New): Given the challenges to 2020 (Updated): For neonates prior to
respiratory arrest or severe respiratory successful resuscitation of children stage I repair with pulmonary over-
depression. Bag-mask ventilation with myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, circulation and symptomatic low
should be maintained until spontaneous once cardiac arrest occurs, early systemic cardiac output and DO2, it is
breathing returns, and standard ACLS consideration of extracorporeal reasonable to target a Paco2 of 50 to
measures should continue if return of CPR may be beneficial. 60 mm Hg. This can be achieved during
spontaneous breathing does not occur. Why: Although myocarditis accounts mechanical ventilation by reducing
for about 2% of sudden cardiovascular minute ventilation or by administering
2015 (Old): We can make no analgesia/sedation with or without neu-
recommendation regarding the deaths in infants,11 5% of sudden car-
diovascular deaths in children,11 and 6% romuscular blockade.
administration of naloxone in confirmed
opioid-associated cardiac arrest. to 20% of sudden cardiac death in ath- 2010 (Old): Neonates in a prearrest
letes, previous12,13 PALS guidelines did state due to elevated pulmonary-
Why: The opioid epidemic has not not contain specific recommendations to-systemic flow ratio prior to Stage I
spared children. In the United States for management. These recommenda- repair might benefit from a Paco2 of
in 2018, opioid overdose caused 65 tions are consistent with the 2018 AHA 50 to 60 mm Hg, which can be achieved
deaths in children younger than 15 scientific statement on CPR in infants during mechanical ventilation by reduc-
years and 3618 deaths in people 15 to and children with cardiac disease.14 ing minute ventilation, increasing the
24 years old,9 and many more children inspired fraction of CO2, or administer-
required resuscitation. The 2020 Guide- ing opioids with or without chemical
lines contain new recommendations paralysis.

22 American Heart Association


Neonatal Life Support

Single Ventricle: Recommendations for PALS care. Previous PALS guidelines administration can be useful while
the Treatment of Postoperative Stage II did not contain recommendations for pulmonary-specific vasodilators are
this specialized patient population. administered.
(Bidirectional Glenn/Hemi-Fontan) and These recommendations are con-
Stage III (Fontan) Palliation Patients 2020 (New): For children who develop
sistent with the 2018 AHA scientific
refractory pulmonary hypertension,
statement on CPR in infants and
2020 (New): For patients in a prearrest including signs of low cardiac output
children with cardiac disease.14
state with superior cavopulmonary or profound respiratory failure despite
anastomosis physiology and severe optimal medical therapy, ECLS may
Pulmonary Hypertension be considered.
hypoxemia due to inadequate pul-
monary blood flow (Qp), ventilatory 2020 (Updated): Inhaled nitric oxide or 2010 (Old): Consider administering
strategies that target a mild respiratory prostacyclin should be used as the inhaled nitric oxide or aerosolized
acidosis and a minimum mean airway initial therapy to treat pulmonary hyper- prostacyclin or analogue to reduce
pressure without atelectasis can be tensive crises or acute right-sided heart pulmonary vascular resistance.
useful to increase cerebral and system- failure secondary to increased pulmo-
ic arterial oxygenation. Why: Pulmonary hypertension, a rare
nary vascular resistance.
disease in infants and children, is
2020 (New): ECLS in patients with su- 2020 (New): Provide careful respiratory associated with significant morbidity
perior cavopulmonary anastomosis or management and monitoring to avoid and mortality and requires specialized
Fontan circulation may be considered hypoxia and acidosis in the postoper- management. Previous PALS guidelines
to treat low DO2 from reversible causes ative care of the child with pulmonary did not provide recommendations for
or as a bridge to a ventricular assist hypertension. managing pulmonary hypertension in
device or surgical revision. infants and children. These recommen-
2020 (New): For pediatric patients
Why: Approximately 1 in 600 infants and dations are consistent with guidelines
who are at high risk for pulmonary
children are born with critical con- on pediatric pulmonary hypertension
hypertensive crises, provide adequate
genital heart disease. Staged surgery published by the AHA and the
analgesics, sedatives, and neuromus-
for children born with single ventricle American Thoracic Society in 2015,16
cular blocking agents.
physiology, such as hypoplastic left and with recommendations contained
heart syndrome, spans the first several 2020 (New): For the initial treatment of in a 2020 AHA scientific statement on
years of life.15 Resuscitation of these pulmonary hypertensive crises, oxygen CPR in infants and children with
infants and children is complex and administration and induction of alka- cardiac disease.14
differs in important ways from standard losis through hyperventilation or alkali

Neonatal Life Support


There are over 4 million births every The process of facilitating Summary of Key Issues
year in the United States and Canada. transition is described in the Neonatal
and Major Changes
Up to 1 of every 10 of these newborns Resuscitation Algorithm that starts
will need help to transition from the with the needs of every newborn • Newborn resuscitation requires
fluid-filled environment of the womb and proceeds to steps that address anticipation and preparation by
to the air-filled room. It is essential the needs of at-risk newborns. In providers who train individually and
that every newborn have a caregiver the 2020 Guidelines, we provide as teams.
dedicated to facilitating that transition recommendations on how to follow • Most newly born infants do not
and for that caregiver to be trained and the algorithm, including anticipation require immediate cord clamping or
equipped for the role. Also, a signifi- and preparation, umbilical cord resuscitation and can be evaluated
cant proportion of newborns who need management at delivery, initial actions, and monitored during skin-to-skin
facilitated transition are at risk for com- heart rate monitoring, respiratory contact with their mothers after birth.
plications that require additional trained support, chest compressions,
personnel. All perinatal settings should intravascular access and therapies, • Prevention of hypothermia is
be ready for this scenario. withholding and discontinuing an important focus for neonatal
resuscitation, postresuscitation care, resuscitation. The importance of
and human factors and performance. skin-to-skin care in healthy babies is
Here, we highlight new and updated reinforced as a means of promoting
recommendations that we believe will parental bonding, breastfeeding, and
have a significant impact on outcomes normothermia.
from cardiac arrest.

eccguidelines.heart.org 23
• Inflation and ventilation of the lungs Major New and Updated Clearing the Airway When
are the priority in newly born infants Recommendations Meconium Is Present
who need support after birth.
• A rise in heart rate is the most Anticipation of Resuscitation Need 2020 (Updated): For nonvigorous new-
important indicator of effective borns (presenting with apnea or
ventilation and response to 2020 (New): Every birth should be at- ineffective breathing effort) delivered
resuscitative interventions. tended by at least 1 person who can through MSAF, routine laryngoscopy
perform the initial steps of newborn with or without tracheal suctioning is
• Pulse oximetry is used to guide resuscitation and initiate PPV and not recommended.
oxygen therapy and meet oxygen whose only responsibility is the care of
saturation goals. 2020 (Updated): For nonvigorous new-
the newborn. borns delivered through MSAF who
• Routine endotracheal suctioning for Why: To support a smooth and safe have evidence of airway obstruction
both vigorous and nonvigorous infants newborn transition from being in the during PPV, intubation and tracheal
born with meconium-stained amniotic womb to breathing air, every birth suction can be beneficial.
fluid (MSAF) is not recommended. should be attended by at least 1 person 2015 (Old): When meconium is present,
Endotracheal suctioning is indicated whose primary responsibility is to the routine intubation for tracheal suction
only if airway obstruction is suspected newly born and who is trained and in this setting is not suggested because
after providing positive-pressure equipped to begin PPV without delay. there is insufficient evidence to
ventilation (PPV). Observational and quality-improvement continue recommending this practice.
• Chest compressions are provided if studies indicate that this approach
enables identification of at-risk Why: In newly born infants with MSAF
there is a poor heart rate response who are not vigorous at birth, initial
newborns, promotes use of checklists
to ventilation after appropriate steps and PPV may be provided. Endo-
to prepare equipment, and facilitates
ventilation-corrective steps, which tracheal suctioning is indicated only if
team briefing. A systematic review of
preferably include endotracheal airway obstruction is suspected after
neonatal resuscitation training in low-
intubation. providing PPV. Evidence from RCTs
resourced settings showed a reduction
• The heart rate response to in both stillbirth and 7-day mortality. suggests that nonvigorous newborns
chest compressions and delivered through MSAF have the same
medications should be monitored Temperature Management for outcomes (survival, need for respiratory
electrocardiographically. support) whether they are suctioned
Newly Born Infants before or after the initiation of PPV.
• When vascular access is required Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal
in newly born infants, the umbilical 2020 (New): Placing healthy newborn
suctioning are not routinely required for
venous route is preferred. When IV infants who do not require resuscitation
newborns delivered through MSAF, but
access is not feasible, the IO route skin-to-skin after birth can be effective
they can be beneficial in newborns who
in improving breastfeeding, tempera-
may be considered. have evidence of airway obstruction
ture control, and blood glucose stability.
• If the response to chest while receiving PPV.
compressions is poor, it may be Why: Evidence from a Cochrane
systematic review showed that Vascular Access
reasonable to provide epinephrine,
early skin-to-skin contact promotes
preferably via the intravascular route.
normothermia in healthy newborns. In 2020 (New): For babies requiring vascular
• Newborns who fail to respond to addition, 2 meta-analyses of RCTs and access at the time of delivery, the um-
epinephrine and have a history or an observational studies of extended skin- bilical vein is the recommended route.
exam consistent with blood loss may to-skin care after initial resuscitation If IV access is not feasible, it may be
require volume expansion. and/or stabilization showed reduced reasonable to use the IO route.
mortality, improved breastfeeding,
• If all these steps of resuscitation Why: Newborns who have failed to respond
shortened length of stay, and improved
are effectively completed and there to PPV and chest compressions require
weight gain in preterm and low-birth-
is no heart rate response by 20 vascular access to infuse epinephrine and/
weight babies.
minutes, redirection of care should be or volume expanders. Umbilical venous
discussed with the team and family. catheterization is the preferred technique in
the delivery room. IO access is an alter-
native if umbilical venous access is not
feasible or care is being provided outside
of the delivery room. Several case reports
have described local complications associ-
ated with IO needle placement.

24 American Heart Association


Resuscitation Education Science

Termination of Resuscitation reason, a time frame for decisions advantages in psychomotor perfor-
about discontinuing resuscitation mance and knowledge and confidence
2020 (Updated): In newly born babies efforts is suggested, emphasizing when focused training occurred every
receiving resuscitation, if there is no engagement of parents and the resus- 6 months or more frequently. It is
heart rate and all the steps of resusci- citation team before redirecting care. therefore suggested that neonatal
tation have been performed, cessation resuscitation task training occur more
of resuscitation efforts should be Human and System Performance frequently than the current 2-year
discussed with the healthcare team and interval.
the family. A reasonable time frame for 2020 (Updated): For participants who
Why: Educational studies suggest that
this change in goals of care is around have been trained in neonatal resus-
cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowl-
20 minutes after birth. citation, individual or team booster
edge and skills decay within 3 to 12
training should occur more frequently
2010 (Old): In a newly born baby with no months after training. Short, frequent
than every 2 years at a frequency that
detectable heart rate, it is appropriate booster training has been shown to
supports retention of knowledge, skills,
to consider stopping resuscitation if the improve performance in simulation
and behaviors.
heart rate remains undetectable for studies and reduce neonatal mortality
10 minutes. 2015 (Old): Studies that explored how in low-resource settings. To anticipate
frequently healthcare providers or and prepare effectively, providers and
Why: Newborns who have failed to
healthcare students should train teams may improve their performance
respond to resuscitative efforts by
showed no differences in patient with frequent practice.
approximately 20 minutes of age have
outcomes but were able to show some
a low likelihood of survival. For this

Resuscitation Education Science


Effective education is a key variable support training, and incorporating • Virtual reality, which is the use of
in improving survival outcomes from repetition with feedback and minimum a computer interface to create
cardiac arrest. Without effective passing standards, can improve skill an immersive environment, and
education, lay rescuers and acquisition. gamified learning, which is play and
healthcare providers would struggle • Booster training (ie, brief retraining competition with other students, can
to consistently apply the science sessions) should be added to massed be incorporated into resuscitation
supporting the evidence-based learning (ie, traditional course based) training for laypersons and healthcare
treatment of cardiac arrest. Evidence- to assist with retention of CPR skills. providers.
based instructional design is critical to Provided that individual students can • Laypersons should receive training in
improving provider performance and attend all sessions, separating training how to respond to victims of opioid
patient-related outcomes from cardiac into multiple sessions (ie, spaced overdose, including the administration
arrest. Instructional design features are learning) is preferable to massed of naloxone.
the active ingredients, the key elements learning.
of resuscitation training programs that • Bystander CPR training should target
determine how and when content is • For laypersons, self-directed training, specific socioeconomic, racial,
delivered to students. either alone or in combination and ethnic populations who have
In the 2020 Guidelines, we provide with instructor-led training, is historically exhibited lower rates of
recommendations about various recommended to improve willingness bystander CPR. CPR training should
instructional design features in and ability to perform CPR. Greater address gender-related barriers to
resuscitation training and describe use of self-directed training may improve rates of bystander CPR
how specific provider considerations remove an obstacle to more performed on women.
influence resuscitation education. widespread training of laypersons in • EMS systems should monitor how
Here, we highlight new and updated CPR. much exposure their providers
recommendations in education that we • Middle school– and high school–age receive in treating cardiac arrest
believe will have a significant impact on children should be trained to provide victims. Variability in exposure among
outcomes from cardiac arrest. high-quality CPR. providers in a given EMS system
• In situ training (ie, resuscitation may be supported by implementing
Summary of Key Issues targeted strategies of supplementary
education in actual clinical spaces)
and Major Changes can be used to enhance learning training and/or staffing adjustments.
• The use of deliberate practice outcomes and improve resuscitation • All healthcare providers should complete
and mastery learning during life performance. an adult ACLS course or its equivalent.

eccguidelines.heart.org 25
• Use of CPR training, mass training, The frequency of booster sessions In Situ Education
CPR awareness campaigns, and should be balanced against student
hands-only CPR promotion should availability and the provision of 2020 (New): It is reasonable to conduct
continue on a widespread basis to resources that support implementation in situ simulation-based resuscitation
improve willingness to provide CPR of booster training. Studies show that training in addition to traditional train-
to cardiac arrest victims, increase the spaced-learning courses, or training ing.
prevalence of bystander CPR, and that is separated into multiple sessions, 2020 (New): It may be reasonable to
improve outcomes from OHCA. are of equal or greater effectiveness conduct in situ simulation-based resus-
when compared with courses delivered citation training in place of traditional
Major New and Updated as a single training event. Student training.
Recommendations attendance across all sessions is
required to ensure course completion Why: In situ simulation refers to train-
ing activities that are conducted in
Deliberate Practice and because new content is presented at
actual patient care areas, which has the
Mastery Learning each session.
advantage of providing a more realistic
training environment. New evidence
2020 (New): Incorporating a deliberate Lay Rescuer Training shows that training in the in situ envi-
practice and mastery learning model ronment, either alone or in combination
into basic or advanced life support 2020 (Updated): A combination of
with traditional training, can have a
courses may be considered for improv- self-instruction and instructor-led
positive impact on learning outcomes
ing skill acquisition and performance. teaching with hands-on training is
(eg, faster time to perform critical tasks
recommended as an alternative to
Why: Deliberate practice is a training and team performance) and patient
instructor-led courses for lay rescuers.
approach where students are given a outcomes (eg, improved survival, neu-
If instructor-led training is not available,
discrete goal to achieve, immediate rological outcomes).
self-directed training is recommended
feedback on their performance, and for lay rescuers. When conducting in situ simulation,
ample time for repetition to improve instructors should be wary of potential
performance. Mastery learning is 2020 (New): It is recommended to train risks, such as mixing training supplies
defined as the use of deliberate middle school– and high school–age with real medical supplies.
practice training and testing that children in how to perform high-quality
includes a set of criteria to define CPR. Gamified Learning and Virtual Reality
a specific passing standard, which 2015 (Old): A combination of self-
implies mastery of the tasks being instruction and instructor-led 2020 (New): The use of gamified learning
learned. teaching with hands-on training can and virtual reality may be considered for
Evidence suggests that incorporating be considered as an alternative to basic or advanced life support train-
a deliberate practice and mastery traditional instructor-led courses for lay ing for lay rescuers and/or healthcare
learning model into basic or advanced providers. If instructor-led training is not providers.
life support courses improves multiple available, self-directed training may be Why: Gamified learning incorporates
learning outcomes. considered for lay providers learning competition or play around the topic of
AED skills. resuscitation, and virtual reality uses a
Booster Training and Why: Studies have found that self- computer interface that allows the user
Spaced Learning instruction or video-based instruction to interact within a virtual environment.
is as effective as instructor-led training Some studies have demonstrated
2020 (New): It is recommended to imple- for lay rescuer CPR training. A shift positive benefits on learning outcomes
ment booster sessions when utilizing a to more self-directed training may (eg, improved knowledge acquisition,
massed-learning approach for resusci- lead to a higher proportion of trained knowledge retention, and CPR skills)
tation training. lay rescuers, thus increasing the with these modalities. Programs
chances that a trained lay rescuer looking to implement gamified learning
2020 (New): It is reasonable to use a
will be available to provide CPR when or virtual reality should consider
spaced-learning approach in place of a
needed. Training school-age children high start-up costs associated with
massed-learning approach for resusci-
to perform CPR instills confidence and purchasing equipment and software.
tation training.
a positive attitude toward providing
Why: The addition of booster training CPR. Targeting this population with CPR
sessions, which are brief, frequent training helps build the future cadre of
sessions focused on repetition of prior community-based, trained lay rescuers.
content, to resuscitation courses im-
proves the retention of CPR skills.

26 American Heart Association


Resuscitation Education Science

Bystander CPR training should target


specific socioeconomic, racial,
and ethnic populations who have
historically exhibited lower rates of
bystander CPR. CPR training should
address gender-related barriers
to improve rates of bystander CPR
performed on women.

Opioid Overdose Training for stander CPR and CPR training. Women ommend that EMS systems monitor
Lay Rescuers are also less likely to receive bystander provider exposure and develop strate-
CPR, which may be because bystand- gies to address low exposure.
2020 (New): It is reasonable for lay rescu- ers fear injuring female victims or being
ers to receive training in responding to accused of inappropriate touching. ACLS Course Participation
opioid overdose, including provision of Targeting specific racial, ethnic,
naloxone. and low-socioeconomic populations 2020 (New): It is reasonable for health-
for CPR education and modifying care professionals to take an adult
Why: Deaths from opioid overdose in the ACLS course or equivalent training.
education to address gender
United States have more than doubled
in the past decade. Multiple studies differences could eliminate disparities Why: For more than 3 decades, the
have found that targeted resuscita- in CPR training and bystander CPR, ACLS course has been recognized as
tion training for opioid users and their potentially enhancing outcomes from an essential component of resuscita-
families and friends is associated with cardiac arrest in these populations. tion training for acute care providers.
higher rates of naloxone administration Studies show that resuscitation teams
in witnessed overdoses. EMS Practitioner Experience with 1 or more team members trained in
and Exposure to Out-of-Hospital ACLS have better patient outcomes.
Disparities in Education Cardiac Arrest Willingness to Perform Bystander CPR
2020 (New): It is recommended to target 2020 (New): It is reasonable for EMS
and tailor layperson CPR training to 2020 (New): It is reasonable to increase
systems to monitor clinical personnel’s
specific racial and ethnic populations bystander willingness to perform
exposure to resuscitation to ensure
and neighborhoods in the United CPR through CPR training, mass CPR
treating teams have members com-
States. training, CPR awareness initiatives, and
petent in managing cardiac arrest
promotion of Hands-Only CPR.
2020 (New): It is reasonable to address cases. Competence of teams may be
barriers to bystander CPR for female supported through staffing or training Why: Prompt delivery of bystander CPR
victims through educational training strategies. doubles a victim’s chances of survival
and public awareness efforts. from cardiac arrest. CPR training, mass
Why: A recent systematic review found
CPR training, CPR awareness initiatives,
Why: Communities with low socio- that EMS provider exposure to cardiac
and promotion of Hands-Only CPR are
economic status and those with arrest cases is associated with im-
all associated with increased rates of
predominantly Black and Hispanic proved patient outcomes, including
bystander CPR.
populations have lower rates of by- rates of ROSC and survival. Because
exposure can be variable, we rec-

eccguidelines.heart.org 27
Systems of Care
Survival after cardiac arrest requires an • Early warning scoring systems and rescuers via a smartphone app or
integrated system of people, training, rapid response teams can prevent text message alert is associated with
equipment, and organizations. Willing cardiac arrest in both pediatric and shorter bystander response times,
bystanders, property owners who adult hospitals, but the literature higher bystander CPR rates, shorter
maintain AEDs, emergency service is too varied to understand what time to defibrillation, and higher rates of
telecommunicators, and BLS and ALS components of these systems are survival to hospital discharge for people
providers working within EMS systems associated with benefit. who experience OHCA. The differences
all contribute to successful resuscita- in clinical outcomes were seen only
• Cognitive aids may improve in the observational data. The use of
tion from OHCA. Within hospitals, the resuscitation performance by
work of physicians, nurses, respirato- mobile phone technology has yet to be
untrained laypersons, but in simulation studied in a North American setting, but
ry therapists, pharmacists, and other settings, their use delays the start of the suggestion of benefit in other coun-
professionals supports resuscitation CPR. More development and study are tries makes this a high priority for future
outcomes. needed before these systems can be research, including the impact of these
Successful resuscitation also fully endorsed. alerts on cardiac arrest outcomes in
depends on the contributions diverse patient, community, and geo-
of equipment manufacturers, • Surprisingly little is known about
the effect of cognitive aids on the graphic contexts.
pharmaceutical companies,
resuscitation instructors, guidelines performance of EMS or hospital-
based resuscitation teams. Data Registries to Improve
developers, and many others. Long-
System Performance
term survivorship requires support • Although specialized cardiac
from family and professional caregivers, arrest centers offer protocols and New (2020): It is reasonable for organiza-
including experts in cognitive, physical, technology not available at all tions that treat cardiac arrest patients
and psychological rehabilitation and hospitals, the available literature to collect processes-of-care data and
recovery. A systems-wide commitment about their impact on resuscitation outcomes.
to quality improvement at every outcomes is mixed.
level of care is essential to achieving Why: Many industries, including health-
• Team feedback matters. Structured care, collect and assess performance
successful outcomes.
debriefing protocols improve the data to measure quality and identify
performance of resuscitation teams in opportunities for improvement. This
Summary of Key Issues
subsequent resuscitation. can be done at the local, regional, or
and Major Changes national level through participation in
• System-wide feedback matters.
• Recovery continues long after the Implementing structured data data registries that collect informa-
initial hospitalization and is a critical collection and review improves tion on processes of care (eg, CPR
component of the resuscitation performance data, defibrillation times,
resuscitation processes and survival
Chains of Survival. adherence to guidelines) and outcomes
both inside and outside the hospital.
of care (eg, ROSC, survival) associated
• Efforts to support the ability and with cardiac arrest.
willingness of the members of the Major New and Updated
Three such initiatives are the AHA’s
general public to perform CPR and Recommendations
Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation
use an AED improve resuscitation
registry (for IHCA), the Cardiac Arrest
outcomes in communities. Using Mobile Devices to
Registry to Enhance Survival registry (for
• Novel methods to use mobile phone Summon Rescuers OHCA), and the Resuscitation
technology to alert trained lay Outcomes Consortium Cardiac Epistry
rescuers of events that require New (2020): The use of mobile phone
(for OHCA), and many regional
CPR are promising and deserve technology by emergency dispatch
databases exist. A 2020 ILCOR
more study. systems to alert willing bystanders to
systematic review found that most
nearby events that may require CPR or
• Emergency system telecommunica- AED use is reasonable. studies assessing the impact of data
tors can instruct bystanders to per- registries, with or without public
form hands-only CPR for adults and Why: Despite the recognized role of lay reporting, demonstrate improvement in
first responders in improving OHCA cardiac arrest survival in organizations
children. The No-No-Go framework is
outcomes, most communities experi- and communities that participated in
effective.
ence low rates of bystander CPR and cardiac arrest registries.
AED use. A recent ILCOR systematic
review found that notification of lay

28 American Heart Association


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30 American Heart Association

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