Automated external defibrillation versus manual defibrillation for prolonged ventricular fibrillation: lethal delays of chest compressions before and after countershocks.

Study Objective: We sought to determine whether the delays in chest compressions and defibrillation associated with an automated external defibrillator would adversely affect outcome compared with manual defibrillation in a swine model of out-of-hospital prolonged ventricular fibrillation.

Methods: After 8 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, 16 swine (33+/-4 kg) were randomly assigned to automated external defibrillator defibrillation or manual defibrillation with the same biphasic truncated exponential waveform 150-J shock through the same type of pads. Defibrillation with the automated external defibrillator was performed as recommended by the manufacturer, and manual defibrillation was provided per American Heart Association Guidelines.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines 2000 update: what's happened since?

Purpose Of Review: To examine the literature for new resuscitation science since the publication of the Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care.

Recent Findings: The two and a half years since the publication of the Guidelines 2000 have seen the advent of a number of new and important resuscitation studies. Such studies highlight the importance of simplification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and guidelines, including the elimination of the layperson pulse check and the need for a simple form of basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation that decreases interruptions of chest compressions.