Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support: common errors and current techniques

Competence in the techniques of Advanced Cardiac Life Support is essential for physicians who are in frequent contact with patients at high risk for cardiac arrest. The methods utilized are complex and rapidly changing. However, a consistent pattern of errors in fundamental concepts or methods emerges. These can be characterized as (1) errors in the general management of patients, (2) erros in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, (3) mistakes in the use or omission of appropriate drugs, (4) errors in the associated necessary techniques which require some technical skills, and (5) errors in management of the patient subsequent to the cardiac arrest. Attention to these details may increase success in management of patients with cardiac arrest.