An Update on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Children

Abstract

Purpose of Review Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed on greater than 6000 hospitalized children every year. Our goal is to highlight current knowledge regarding the epidemiology and pathophysiology of pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest, as well as the therapeutic approach during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children. Recent Findings Over the last decade, survival from pediatric cardiac arrest has improved, largely due to increased focus on the provision of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and treatment of post-cardiac arrest pathophysiology. Ideal chest compression targets, the role of assisted ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of intra-arrest physiologic monitoring, the physiology of vasoactive medications administered during cardiac arrest, the utility of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the importance of treating the post-cardiac arrest syndrome to prevent secondary injury are just some of the discoveries improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices. Summary Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is frequently a lifesaving therapy for an otherwise uniformly fatal process. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology and potential therapeutic interventions is imperative for the inpatient pediatric provider.