Part 6: electrical therapies: automated external defibrillators, defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Abstract

The recommendations for electrical therapies described in this section are designed to improve survival from SCA and life-threatening arrhythmias. Whenever defibrillation is attempted, rescuers must coordinate high-quality CPR with defibrillation to minimize interruptions in chest compressions and to ensure immediate resumption of chest compressions after shock delivery. The high first-shock efficacy of newer biphasic defibrillators led to the recommendation of single shocks plus immediate CPR instead of 3-shock sequences that were recommended prior to 2005 to treat VF. Further data are needed to refine recommendations for energy levels for defibrillation and cardioversion using biphasic waveforms.

• Authors: Mark S Link, Dianne L Atkins, Rod S Passman, Henry R Halperin, Ricardo A Samson, Roger D White, Michael T Cudnik, Marc D Berg, Peter J Kudenchuk, Richard E Kerber
• Journal: Circulation (Circulation) Vol. 122 Issue 18 Suppl 3 Pg. S706-19 (Nov 02 2010) ISSN: 1524-4539 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20956222 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• American Heart Association
• Cardiac Pacing, Artificial (methods, standards)
• Cardiology (methods, standards)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (methods, standards)
• Defibrillators (standards)
• Electric Countershock (methods, standards)
• Emergency Medical Services (methods, standards)
• Heart Arrest (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Practice Guidelines as Topic (standards)
• Time Factors
• United States