About Cardiac Arrest
- Often caused by abnormal heart rhythm
- This aberrant rhythm is ventricular fibrillation (VF)
- During VF heart stops pumping blood
- Patient may stop breathing
- No pulse may be detected
- A shock to the heart, called defibrillation, required
- Defibrillation stops VF, restores heart function
What is CPR?
- Emergency life-saving measure
- Combination of rescue breathing & chest compressions
- Done on unconscious/ non-breathing patient
- Done on persons suffering cardiac arrest
- Also for near-drowning/ asphyxiation/ trauma cases
- CPR conducts defibrillation
- Supports heart pumping for short duration
- Allows oxygen to reach brain
- Buys time till help arrives
- More effective when done as early as possible
What is New in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR STEPS
- Clear the airway
- Assess if the person is conscious / breathing
- Lay the person on his back on a hard surface
- Using a head tilt -chin lift open his airway
- Check for breathing sound
- If not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth breathing
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Mouth-to-mouth breathing
- Pinch the person's nostril shut
- Seal his mouth with your own
- Give the first breath, lasting one second
- Watch if chest rises
- If it rises, give second rescue breath
- If it does not rise, give a head tilt- chin lift
- Now give second rescue breath
Restore circulation through compression
- Place heel of your palm on patient's chest
- Place your other hand above first
- Keep elbows straight
- Push down using upper body weight (compress)
- Push hard and fast
- After 30 compressions, clear airway
- Give two rescue breaths
- This is one cycle
- Give 100 compressions /minute
- Continue CPR till medical help arrives
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CPR for children (under 8 yrs/ infant)
- Procedure almost same as for adult
- Following details should be incorporated
- 20 breaths/min should be delivered
- 100 compressions/minute should be given
- Chest compressions - given with one hand
Prognosis
- If done well, CPR saves life
- Normalcy is restored in rescued person
- CPR can also be ineffective, causing death
- In some cases, causes injuries / damages
Caution
- Ribs/heart/lungs/ liver may be injured
- After CPR, medical attention should be given
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CPR training
- CPR - practical skill acquired through training
- Professional training/ regular practice mandatory
- CPR not confined to medical professionals
- Community organizations, like Red Cross, conduct training
