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Published on: January 30, 2020
Pediatric Life Support 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular
Insights
The 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) updated pediatric life support guidelines. New recommendations address epinephrine timing and dosage, highlighting the need for more pediatric resuscitation research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- The 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) for pediatric life support represents an extensive evidence evaluation.
- This process involved systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence updates by the Pediatric Life Support Task Force.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide updated, evidence-based treatment recommendations for pediatric life support.
- To address critical areas in pediatric resuscitation, including airway-compressions sequencing, epinephrine administration, and post-resuscitation care.
Main Methods:
- Conducted systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence updates following International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines.
- Systematic reviews were the primary method for generating new or revised treatment recommendations.
Main Results:
- New treatment recommendations were established for the initial timing and dose intervals of epinephrine administration during resuscitation.
- Evidence updates were performed for fluid administration in pediatric septic shock.
- Key topics evaluated included airway-compressions sequencing and post-resuscitation oxygen/carbon dioxide targets.
Conclusions:
- The reviews identified a significant lack of pediatric-specific data in resuscitation research.
- There is a critical need for increased research focused on the resuscitation of infants and children.
- Updated guidelines aim to improve outcomes for pediatric cardiac arrest patients.
Abstract:
This 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) for pediatric life support is based on the most extensive evidence evaluation ever performed by the Pediatric Life Support Task Force. Three types of evidence evaluation were used in this review: systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence updates. Per agreement with the evidence evaluation recommendations of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, only systematic reviews could result in a new or revised treatment recommendation.Systematic reviews performed for this 2020 CoSTR for pediatric life support included the topics of sequencing of airway-breaths-compressions versus compressions-airway-breaths in the delivery of pediatric basic life support, the initial timing and dose intervals for epinephrine administration during resuscitation, and the targets for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in pediatric patients after return of spontaneous circulation. The most controversial topics included the initial timing and dose intervals of epinephrine administration (new treatment recommendations were made) and the administration of fluid for infants and children with septic shock (this latter topic was evaluated by evidence update). All evidence reviews identified the paucity of pediatric data and the need for more research involving resuscitation of infants and children.
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