Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Basics

The Importance of CPR

Enhancing Survival Rates through Proper Technique

• UK's Cardiac Arrest Statistics: 90,000 to 120,000 deaths annually, but an 85% survival rate is possible.
• Current Survival Rate: Approximately 15%-17%, indicating the need for improved CPR understanding and execution.
• CPR Misconception: Many find CPR daunting, yet it involves fundamental principles that need simplification.

Goals of Effective CPR

Optimal Chest Compressions for Cerebral Perfusion

• Proper Chest Compression: Accurate placement over the sternum, aiming for the nipple line, and achieving 5-6 cm depth.
• Surface Matters: Effective CPR on a hard surface (e.g., floor) rather than softer surfaces like beds or chairs.
• Blood Squeezing: CPR aims to manually pump blood from the heart to the brain, with an efficiency of around 30%.

The Brain: Primary Resuscitation Target

Understanding the Irreplaceable Importance of Brain Resuscitation

• Terminal Brain Damage: After about 8 minutes without oxygen, the brain becomes irreversibly damaged.
• Continuous CPR: Minimize interruptions; pauses should not exceed 2 seconds, except when applying a defibrillator.
• Breath Timing: If giving breaths, allocate 2 seconds (1 second per breath) before resuming CPR.

Effective Chest Compressions

Key Techniques for Maintaining Brain Oxygenation

• Compression Rate: Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute to ensure adequate blood flow from the heart to the brain.
• Blood Oxygen Retention: Understand that there's approximately 6-8 minutes of retained oxygen in the bloodstream after the heart stops.
• Compression Cycle: Compress to empty the heart and fully release to allow the heart to refill; maintain an efficient cycle.

Conclusion

Crucial Understanding of CPR Objectives

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, hinges on delivering proper chest compressions to maximize blood flow to the brain, the most critical aspect of resuscitation.