Preferable Resources for CPR, Post-Cardiac Arrest Management, and Arrhythmia
The American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care are the most authoritative and comprehensive resources for learning about CPR, post-cardiac arrest management, and arrhythmia management. 1
Core Resources for CPR and Cardiac Arrest Management
The AHA Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care provide evidence-based recommendations for high-quality CPR, including compression depth (5-6 cm), rate (100-120/min), and minimizing interruptions 2, 3
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations provides systematic reviews of evidence supporting resuscitation practices 1
AHA resources on dispatcher-assisted CPR and regionalized cardiac arrest centers are essential for understanding systems of care approaches 1
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Resources
The AHA ACLS Ventricular Fibrillation protocols provide detailed guidance on equipment preparation, medication administration, and team coordination for managing life-threatening arrhythmias 4
Resources covering medication administration during cardiac arrest, including epinephrine (1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes) and antiarrhythmic medications like amiodarone (300 mg first dose, 150 mg second dose) or lidocaine (1-1.5 mg/kg first dose, 0.5-0.75 mg/kg second dose) 4, 3
Materials on rhythm recognition and appropriate interventions for shockable (VF/pVT) and non-shockable rhythms (PEA/asystole) 4, 3
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Resources
The 2025 AHA Guidelines for Post-Cardiac Arrest Care provide the most recent evidence for managing patients after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) 5
Resources on targeted temperature management, with recommendations to maintain a constant temperature between 32°C and 37.5°C for adult patients who don't follow commands after ROSC 2, 5
Materials on post-arrest monitoring, including oxygen targets (94-98% saturation), ventilation management, and avoiding both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia 2, 5
Resources on neurological prognostication after cardiac arrest, including timing (at least 72 hours post-arrest) and multimodal assessment approaches 6, 5
Arrhythmia Management Resources
AHA guidelines on specific arrhythmia management, including atrial fibrillation/flutter with rapid ventricular response and bradycardia 1
Resources on antiarrhythmic medications, their indications, dosing, and evidence for efficacy in various clinical scenarios 7, 6
Materials on cardioversion energy requirements for different arrhythmias 1
Special Considerations and Advanced Topics
Resources on extracorporeal CPR (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest in select patients 4, 2
Materials on special resuscitation circumstances such as drowning, opioid-associated emergencies, and pregnancy 2
Resources on public access defibrillation programs and their potential impact on sudden cardiac death outcomes 8
Implementation and Quality Improvement Resources
Materials on CPR quality monitoring using quantitative waveform capnography (target PETCO2 >10 mmHg) and arterial pressure monitoring 4, 3
Resources on team dynamics, role assignment, and effective communication during resuscitation efforts 4, 3
Materials on post-event debriefing and continuous quality improvement in resuscitation 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid resources that recommend routine calcium administration for cardiac arrest, as this is not supported by current evidence 2
Be cautious of materials suggesting double sequential defibrillation for refractory shockable rhythms, as effectiveness has not been established 2, 3
Avoid resources recommending prophylactic antiarrhythmic administration to all patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction 7
Be wary of materials that don't emphasize the importance of minimizing interruptions in chest compressions, including during advanced airway placement 4, 3