2010 Resuscitation guidelines

With the recent publication of new resuscitation guidelines (www.resus.org.uk), Sophia's attention this month has understandably turned to matters of the heart! Compared with 2005, there are relatively few changes, perhaps reflecting the limited amount of new evidence in what is a most challenging area to research. The new guidance continues to emphasise the importance of minimising interruptions to chest compressions during cardiac arrest, which in the case of adults should now be delivered slightly faster (target rate 100–120 per min) and deeper (5–6 cm). Defibrillation strategy has been adjusted to include forward planning to reduce a preshock pause, with chest compressions now being continued while the defibrillator is charged. The tracheal tube is no longer recommended as a route of delivery of drugs, and atropine has disappeared from routine use in patients who are in asystole or (slow) pulseless electrical activity. It may take a short while to get used to them, but the small scale of the changes to these guidelines should make things …