Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Research into the physiologic changes that occur during cardiac arrest and resuscitation have led to important changes in our approach to resuscitation of the cardiac arrest victim. Methods that improve coronary perfusion pressure, coupled with direct or indirect measures of coronary perfusion, are actively being sought to improve resuscitation rates and outcomes. These studies have broadened the therapeutic options available to clinicians treating the cardiac arrest victim. Although significant improvements in hospital discharge rates and neurologic outcome have not been realized as yet, a firm basis for future studies has been established. Overall, the most significant intervention that the clinician can presently perform is early and prompt defibrillation of the patient in ventricular fibrillation.