2025 Korean Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Part 1. The update process and highlights

In response to the expanding body of research on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and updates from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the 2020 Korean CPR guidelines have been revised. This article presents the development process and summarizes the major updates in the 2025 Korean CPR guidelines. Seven task forces were established, with members nominated by professional societies involved in CPR. Each task force formulated key clinical questions and conducted systematic evidence reviews using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology. The 2025 CPR guidelines were finalized on the basis of the reviewed evidence and consensus discussions. The major updates are as follows: (1) addition of rehabilitation and recovery to the chain of survival; (2) inclusion of guidance for dispatchers on the use of automated external defibrillators; (3) recommendation that trained rescuers provide rescue breaths in cases of drowning-related cardiac arrest; (4) suggestion of double sequential defibrillation or vector-change defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation; (5) revision of the target temperature range for post-resuscitation temperature management from 32-36 to 33-37.5 °C; (6) recommendation of public access defibrillation for children aged ≥1 year; (7) suggestion to use supraglottic airway devices and video laryngoscopy in neonatal resuscitation; (8) recommendation for the use of feedback devices in CPR training; and (9) addition of a first aid section addressing cardiac arrest-related emergencies. These guidelines reflect the most current evidence, and their implementation and dissemination are expected to improve survival after cardiac arrest.