They think it's all over - managing post cardiac arrest syndrome

Abstract

Abstract published with permission. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is the first stage in the successful management of the cardiac arrest patient. The care that the patient receives during the immediate post-ROSC period, has a major impact on subsequent survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), particularly in terms of surviving to hospital discharge neurologically intact. For the first time, the 2010 Resuscitation Council (UK) (Nolan, 2010) guidelines incorporates a section specifically relating to the mangement of OHCA. This review will outline the guidance from the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation (ILCOR) on the management of post cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) and how this can be practically implemented in the pre-hospital environment. interventions directly applicable to the pre-hospital phase until handover at the emergency department (ED) will be considered. In addition, specific guidance relating to the management of the ROSC patient in the pre-hospital phase of their care will be provided.