Update: 2017/2018 AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS guidelines
Karen Jean Craig-Brangan1, Mary Patricia Day
1Karen Jean Craig-Brangan is the owner of EMS Educational Services, Inc. in Cheltenham, Pa., an instructor at Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services in Norristown, Pa., and an AHA training center manager for Temple University Health System in Philadelphia, Pa. Mary Patricia Day is a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.
Insights
The American Heart Association updated its 2017 Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation guidelines and 2018 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support guidelines. This review highlights key changes for practical integration.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The American Heart Association (AHA) periodically releases updated guidelines for life support.
- Previous guidelines required updates to reflect the latest scientific evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the 2017 and 2018 AHA guideline updates.
- To highlight key changes in Basic Life Support (BLS), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
- To provide practical recommendations for integrating these updates into clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of published AHA guideline documents from 2017 and 2018.
- Analysis of significant modifications in algorithms and recommendations.
- Synthesis of information for clinical application.
Main Results:
- Key updates in BLS/CPR guidelines include changes in chest compression techniques and ventilation strategies.
- Significant revisions in ACLS and PALS protocols address medication administration, rhythm management, and post-cardiac arrest care.
- Emphasis on team dynamics and communication in resuscitation efforts.
Conclusions:
- The updated AHA guidelines represent important advancements in resuscitation science.
- Healthcare providers must familiarize themselves with these changes to optimize patient outcomes.
- Effective implementation requires understanding and integrating the revised protocols into routine care.
Abstract:
In November 2017, the American Heart Association published updates to its adult and pediatric Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation guidelines; one year later, it published updates to its Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support guidelines. This article reviews these updated guidelines and highlights the key changes and how to integrate them into practice.
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