Management of Cardiac Arrest in Emergency Department

Abstract

Sudden Cardiac Arrest remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Excellent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation for treatable arrhythmias remain the cornerstones of BLS and ACLS. The “mantra” is: circulation, airway, breathing (C-A-B). Current ACLS guidelines strongly recommend that every effort to be made should NOT interrupt CPR for other less vital interventions. Regardless of whether the arrest is out of hospital or in hospital, the care following resuscitation converges in the hospital, generally the ICU or Emergency Department. The integrated team approach of trained rescuers is vital for successful resuscitation and subsequent survival to discharge.