Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Overview

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• CPR is a life-saving procedure to maintain oxygenation and circulation until expert help arrives.
• It's a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions.
• Brain damage can occur within 4-6 minutes without CPR.
• Modern techniques prioritize chest compressions over rescue breathing.

Objectives

• Students should be able to define CPR.
• Students should be able to list the purposes of CPR.
• Students should be able to list clinical manifestations of arrest.
• Students should be able to describe the three basic rescue skills.
• Students should be able to perform CPR on an arrested person.
• Students should be able to describe the complications of CPR.

Outlines

• Introduction to CPR.
• Definition of CPR.
• Purposes of CPR.
• Clinical manifestations of cardiac arrest.
• Basic rescue skills (ABC).
• Steps of CPR.
• Complications of CPR.

Introduction to CPR

• Cessation of breathing and/or circulation can lead to irreversible brain damage or death within 4-6 minutes.
• Effective CPR, immediately applied, is crucial to maintaining the person's heart beat and breathing.
• The rescuer must continue CPR procedures until the person's heart beat and breathing return or trained medical help arrives.

Definition of Cardiac Arrest

• Cardiac arrest is the sudden stopping of the heart's pumping action.

Definition of CPR (Continued)

• CPR aims to maintain oxygenation and circulation until expert help arrives.
• It involves a combination of rescue breathing to provide oxygen to the lungs and chest compressions to maintain blood circulation.

Causes of Cardiac Arrest

• Electric shock
• Drug overdose
• Excessive bleeding
• Heart disease
• Infection in the bloodstream
• Injuries and accidents
• Near-drowning
• Stroke
• Choking

Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest

• No breathing or difficult breathing (gasping)
• Absence of a carotid pulse.
• Unconsciousness
• Cyanosis or pallor

Purposes of CPR

• Establish effective circulation and respiration.
• Prevent irreversible cerebral anoxia (lack of oxygen in the brain) and damage
• Establish carbon exchange and adequate circulation to deliver oxygenated blood

Facts About CPR

• Effective CPR can restore 1/4 to 1/3 of normal blood flow.
• Rescue breaths contain 16% oxygen (21% in normal air).

First Aid for Cardiac Arrest

• CPR has three basic skills: compressions, airway, and breathing.
• CPR involves chest compressions, airway opening, and rescue breaths

Before Beginning CPR

• Assess the scene for safety.
• Check for responsiveness (shake or tap gently, shout "Are you OK?").
• Call for help (emergency services, 911 or the relevant number).
• If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is available, use it.

Circulation (CPR)

• Check for a carotid pulse.
• Position the person on their back on a firm surface.
• Chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the sternum (between the nipples), place the heel of the other hand on top of the first hand.

Chest Compression (Continued)

• Push hard and fast; on the chest, at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters).
• Let the chest rise completely with each compression.
• 100 compressions per minute.

Airway (CPR)

• Open the airway using the head tilt/chin lift method.
• Use the jaw thrust if a cervical spine fracture is suspected.
• Check for breathing (Look for chest motion, listen for breath sounds, feel for breath).

Breathing (CPR)

• Administer two rescue breaths if the patient isn't breathing.
• Cover the victim's mouth tightly, pinch the nose, lift the chin.
• Blow into the mouth for 1 second until the chest rises.

If No Chest Rise

• Check the victim's mouth for obstructions.
• Re-check the head tilt and chin lift.

Breathing using Mouth to Mask

• Use a barrier mask when available to prevent exposure to bodily fluids.
• The mask has a one-way valve to limit exposure to exhaled air and bodily fluids.

Continuing CPR

• Perform 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths (one cycle).
• Continue cycles until the person recovers or help arrives.
• Periodically recheck for breathing and pulse.

Re-checking Pulse and CPR

• Check pulse after every five cycles (about two minutes).
• If breathing resumes, place the person in the recovery position.
• Recheck regularly for breathing until help arrives.

AED Use during CPR

• If an AED is available, use it.
• Deliver one shock then resume CPR.
• Continue CPR compressions for two more minutes before administering the second shock

Principles of Performing Chest Compressions

• Push hard and fast to keep blood moving.
• Limit interruptions to 10 seconds unless necessary
• Allow for complete chest recoil after each compression.
• Aim for at least 100 compressions per minute.

Reasons to Stop or Pause CPR

• The person starts breathing normally.
• Qualified help takes over.
• The rescuer is exhausted.
• An AED is used

Preventing Cardiac Arrest

• Avoid injuries and heart problems (risk factors include: cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, stress).
• Get regular exercise.
• See your doctor regularly.
• Use seat belts, drive safely.
• Avoid illegal drugs.

Complications of CPR

• Gastric distention (pressure on lungs)
• Fractured ribs
• Hemorrhage (hemorrhagio) in the chest
• Pneumothorax (air in the chest)
• Laceration of abdominal organs (lung, spleen, or liver)
• Vomiting and aspiration