Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Dec 1;27(6):617-622.
doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000897.

Basic life support and systems saving lives

Theresa Mariero Olasveengen  1 , Federico Semeraro  2
Affiliations
Review

Basic life support and systems saving lives

Theresa Mariero Olasveengen et al. Curr Opin Crit Care. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: To describe recent science in basic life support (BLS) after cardiac arrest and how evolving knowledge in resuscitation is changing current guidelines and practices.

Recent findings: The core elements of BLS have remained mostly unchanged since 2005 when Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation recommendations were changed from 2 ventilations to 15 compressions and up to three stacked shocks for shockable rhythms, to 30 compressions to 2 ventilations and single shocks. Since 2010, basic life support has largely focused on the importance of providing high-quality CPR for professional and lay rescuers alike. The most recent resuscitation updates has seen an increased focus on the systems perspective. The 'Systems Saving Lives' concept emphasizes the interconnection between community and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The main changes in current resuscitation practice are within three important basic life support domains: recognition of cardiac arrest, interaction between rescuers and EMS and improving resuscitation quality.

Summary: This review highlights the importance of strengthening both community and emergency medical services efforts to improve outcomes in cardiac arrest. Strategies that enhance the communication and collaboration between lay rescuers and professional resuscitation systems are important new avenues to pursue in developing systems that save more lives.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Gräsner JT, Wnent J, Herlitz J, et al. Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Europe - results of the EuReCa TWO study. Resuscitation 2020; 148:218–226.
    1. Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Part 3: adult basic life support. The American Heart Association in collaboration with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Circulation 2000; 102:I22–159.
    1. International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations. Part 2: Adult basic life support. Resuscitation 2005; 67:187–201.
    1. Koster RW, Sayre MR, Botha M, et al. Adult Basic Life Support Chapter Collaborators. Part 5: adult basic life support: 2010 International consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations. Resuscitation 2010; 81: (Suppl 1): e48–70.
    1. Perkins GD, Travers AH, Berg RA, et al. Part 3: Adult basic life support and automated external defibrillation: 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2015; 95:e43–e69.

LinkOut - more resources