Explain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?
The heart rhythm associated with cardiac arrest can be either ventricular fibrillation/ ventricular tachycardia (VT/VF) or other rhythms including Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) or asystole. Survivability and other outcomes are much better if the associated rhythm is VT or VF. It is extremely important to recognize VT or VF as the underlying rhythm, because these rhythms need defibrillation as quickly as possible for optimal outcomes. Subsequent interventions such as management of the airway and ventilation, intravenous access, administration of epinephrine, correction of contributing factors remain the same, according to a common algorithmic approach