From the Research
In-hospital CPR typically lasts between 20-30 minutes, though it can continue longer depending on the specific circumstances, as determined by the patient's response to resuscitation efforts, the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest, and the clinical judgment of the medical team 1. The duration of CPR is influenced by several factors, including the patient's response to resuscitation efforts, the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest, and the clinical judgment of the medical team.
- The medical team will continue CPR until either the patient regains a pulse (return of spontaneous circulation)
- The medical team determines further efforts would be futile
- In some cases, until the patient can be connected to advanced life support systems like ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) 2. During this time, healthcare providers follow a structured approach with cycles of chest compressions, ventilation, rhythm checks, and administration of medications such as epinephrine and amiodarone as indicated 3.
- The quality of CPR is maintained through provider rotations approximately every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue and ensure effective compressions. Unlike out-of-hospital settings, hospitals have access to additional resources including specialized equipment, medications, and larger teams that can sometimes enable longer, more complex resuscitation efforts 1. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 2016, which highlights the importance of attention to CPR quality and recent approaches to regulate intrathoracic pressure to improve cerebral and systemic perfusion 1.
- This study provides an innovative, physiologically based road map to increase survival and quality of life after cardiac arrest. Overall, the goal of CPR is to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating, and the duration of CPR will depend on the individual circumstances of the patient 2.