Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a series of steps to help a person who has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat. CPR manually delivers oxygen to the lungs and temporarily restores the heartbeat.
Lay CPR is given to an unresponsive victim who is not breathing. Reasons for this may include:
The outcome will depend on the initial cause and how soon effective CPR was initiated. Many victims are unable to regain a normal heartbeat after it has stopped.
The goal of the CPR is to provide blood flow to a victim’s heart, brain, and other vital organs until proper medical care can be given. The victim is likely to die if CPR is not started immediately. Complications may include fracture of the ribs, broken teeth, infections, and puncture of the lung.
People with weakened bones have a higher risk of bone fractures from CPR. However, there is far greater risk of death if CPR is delayed or not done correctly.
When you see someone suddenly collapse or find someone unconscious on the ground, immediately check to see if he or she is responsive. Tap the victim and ask: “Are you OK?” If the victim is unresponsive, follow these three steps.
Use AED as soon as it is available.
Continue cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until one of the following occurs:
In 2008, the American Heart Association began recommending a simplified version of CPR. This version was created to encourage previously reluctant by-standers to help. The hands-only method is certainly better than doing nothing at all.
In hands-only CPR, there are just two steps:
The length of time for CPR depends on the underlying causes and response time of the emergency medical team.
The patient is unconscious when CPR is given. The procedure does not hurt. Some patients may complain of soreness in the chest after regaining consciousness.
The patient should be taken to the hospital. They should go even if they have recovered. Emergency personnel will take over care when they arrive.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
References:
American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000.
American Heart Association. Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2006
American Red Cross website. Available at: http://www.redcross.org.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Am Fam Physician . 2000;62(7). Available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1564ph.html. Accessed February 27, 2007.
Cayley WE. Practice guidelines 2005 AHA guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiac care. Am Fam Physician . 2006;73(9). Available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060501/practice.html. Accessed February 27, 2007.
Neumar RW, Nolan JP, Adrie C, et al. Post-cardiac arrest syndrome: epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognostication. A consensus statement from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Circulation. 2008 Dec 2;118(23):2452-83. Epub 2008 Oct 23. No abstract available.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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