Revised guidelines on advanced life support cover the use of automated defibrillators

Revised guidelines on advanced life support cover the use of automated defibrillators

This week sees the publication of the 1998 European Resuscitation Council guidelines for adult advanced life support (p 1863).The previous guidelines demanded a level of rhythm recognitionand interpretation that some users found difficult; these problemsare eased by automated defibrillators, and these guidelines explicitly cover both automated and manual machines. Decision making hasbeen reduced to a minimum. For airway management tracheal intubationremains the optimal procedure, but for those without these skillsa laryngeal mask airway is an adequate alternative, with a lowreported incidence of aspiration. The recommended rate of closedchest compression is now 100/min $---$ the rate also recommended forbasic life support (see p 1870).

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The 1998 European Resuscitation Council guidelines for adult advanced life support: Advanced Life Support Working Group of the European Resuscitation Council
BMJ 1998 316: 1863-1869. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]