Abstract
Advances in resuscitation science have improved pediatric cardiac arrest outcomes substantially over the past 25 years. The performance of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been highlighted as an important determinant of survival of both adult and pediatric cardiac arrest. In short, performance of high quality Basic Life Support (BLS) saves childrens’ lives. This article will focus specifically on cardiopulmonary resuscitation “technique” for infants and children. In concert with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the American Heart Association (AHA), the available scientific evidence supporting current resuscitation guidelines for hand position, chest compression rate and depth, minimizing interruptions, and full chest recoil will be discussed. Important changes will be highlighted, such as the increasing emphasis on early and effective high quality chest compressions even for pediatric victims, exemplified in the acronym change from Airway-Breathing-Circulation, or ABC, to Circulation-Airway-Breathing, or CAB. Exciting technological advances that have been shown to successfully monitor / improve CPR technique will also be presented. And while the foundation of CPR guidelines is evidence-based, resuscitation scientists should be challenged to focus future efforts towards several questions that remain unanswered. In the end, all providers – trained and untrained – should be encouraged to recognize and immediately DO SOMETHING when a child has no signs of life, most importantly and simply: “PUSH HARD and PUSH FAST!”.
Keywords: Cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, infant, pediatric, practice guideline, quality.
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