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Chain of survival



The chain of survival refers to a series of actions that, when put into motion, reduce the mortality associated with cardiac arrest.[1][2] Like any chain, the chain of survival is only as strong as its weakest link.[1][2] The four interdependent links in the chain of survival are early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced care.[1]

Contents

Background

The phrase "chain of survival" was first used as a slogan for the 1988 Conference on Citizen CPR.[3][4] It then appeared in JEMS editorial in August 1989, and the first issue of Currents in Emergency Cardiac Care in 1990.[3] The concept was elaborated in the American Heart Association's 1992 guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care,[5][6] and then echoed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) in 1997.[1]

Early access

Someone must witness the cardiac arrest and activate the EMS system[1] with an immediate call to 9-1-1[7] (or your local emergency number).

Early CPR

In order to be most effective, bystander CPR should be provided immediately after collapse of the patient.[1][8] Properly performed CPR can keep the heart in VF for 10-12 minutes longer.[2]

Early defibrillation

Most adults who can be saved from cardiac arrest are in ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.[9] Early defibrillation is the link in the chain most likely to improve survival.[1] Public access defibillation may be the key to improving survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,[1] but is of the greatest value when the other links in the chain do not fail.[2]

Early advanced care

Early advanced cardiac life support by paramedics is another critical link in the chain of survival.[1] In communities with survival rates > 20%, a minimum of two of the rescuers are trained to the advanced level.[1] In some countries, EMS delivery may be performed by ambulancemen, nurses, or doctors.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Part 12: From Science to Survival - Strengthening the Chain of Survival in Every Community," Circulation 2000;102:I-358
  2. ^ a b c d e Bossaert LL (1997). "Fibrillation and defibrillation of the heart". British journal of anaesthesia 79 (2): 203-13. PMID 9349131.
  3. ^ a b "The Addition of the Fifth Link in the Chain of Survival to Include Myocardial Infarction," ChestPainCenters.org, Accessed July 11, 2007.
  4. ^ "Chain of Survival: Converting a Nation," Citizen CPR Foundation, Accessed July 11, 2007.
  5. ^ Cummins RO, Ornato JP, Thies WH, Pepe PE (1991). "Improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest: the "chain of survival" concept. A statement for health professionals from the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Subcommittee and the Emergency Cardiac Care Committee, American Heart Association". Circulation 83 (5): 1832-47. PMID 2022039.
  6. ^ (1992) "Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care. Emergency Cardiac Care Committee and Subcommittees, American Heart Association. Part I. Introduction". JAMA 268 (16): 2171-83. PMID 1404767.
  7. ^ "Strengthening Each Link in the Chain of Survival," American Heart Association, Accessed July 10, 2007.
  8. ^ Eisenberg MS, Bergner L, Hallstrom A (1979). "Cardiac resuscitation in the community. Importance of rapid provision and implications for program planning". JAMA 241 (18): 1905-7. PMID 430772.
  9. ^ "Early Defibrillation," Circulation 1997;95:2183-2184.
 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chain_of_survival". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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