Clinical progress note: AHA ACLS/PALS/NRP updates and cardiac arrest management in the time of COVID-19

• Authors: Jessica Nave, Emory University; Cassi Smola, University of Alabama Birmingham
• Journal Title: JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE
• Volume: Volume 17, Number 5
• Publisher: JOHN WILEY & SONS INC | 2022-02-26, Pages 364-367
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2778
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Medicine, General & Internal; General & Internal Medicine; HEART-ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES; CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION

Abstract

Despite advances in technology and research, cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death around the world. It is estimated that 292,000 adults, 15,200 children, and 1% of newborns admitted to U.S. hospitals suffer an in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), and hospitalists are often at the forefront of management. The most basic principles of cardiac arrest management are still the prevailing determinants of survival: high‐quality chest compressions and rapid defibrillation. 1 The American Heart Association (AHA) and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation have moved from updating basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), and neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) guidelines from every five years to a continuously updated review, with the most recent updates released in October of 2020. Given the unpredictable nature of cardiac arrests, there is a paucity of clinical trials and strong evidence to support current recommendations. Specifically noted within the 2020 guidelines is that 51% of recommendations are based on limited data and 17% are based on expert opinion. 1