[Adult cardio-respiratory arrest: guidelines 2005-2010]

At the end of 2005 the new guidelines for the treatment of cardiac arrest were published. The diagnostic criteria of cardiac arrest were simplified and priority is given to thoracic compressions. The ratio of thoracic compressions to insufflations is 30/2. The frequency of thoracic compression is 100/min. In ventricular tachycardia (VT) without pulse or in ventricle fibrillation (VF), defibrillation is attempted with a single external electric shock per cycle. The reanimation cycles are divided in periods of 2 minutes. The two drugs, used to treat VF and VT without pulse, are amiodarone and adrenaline. Adrenaline is not given before the fourth minute into the reanimation and it is administered before the third electrical external shock. In case of asystole or pulse less electrical activity adrenaline is administered as early as possible. Atropine is used in case of pulse less electrical activity with a ventricular response lower than 60/min. In advanced life support a priority is given to whether or not there are treatable secondary causes (4H, 4T), furthermore controlled hypothermia is installed when systemic circulation is restored and optimal support to all vital functions is given.