[Pre-hospitalization reanimation in cardiac arrest].

THE SURVIVAL CHAIN: The delay to restoration of spontaneous circulation is the key to prognosis of cardiac arrest occurring outside the hospital. Among the many etiologies of cardiac arrest, sudden onset ventricular fibrillation is the number one cause of sudden death in adults. Better prognosis depends on effective organisation founded on the concept of a "survival chain". ALERT AND RESUSCITATION: By alerting the emergency units and performing the basic gestures of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (freeing the airways, mouth-to-mouth ventilation and closed chest cardiac massage) those witnessing the event take the first steps in the survival chain while waiting for the paramedical and medical teams to arrive. DEFIBRILLATION: In case of ventricular fibrillation, prognosis is directly related to the delay to defibrillation. Defibrillators used by specially trained paramedics before a physician arrives on the scene have considerably improved prognosis. SPECIALIZED RESUSCITATION: Precise algorithms help guide treatment in accordance with the observed cardiac rhythm. Tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation are fundamental. Among the useful drugs, epinephrine is by far the most important for improving myocardial and cerebral perfusion, improving the chances of recovering spontaneous circulation. The only anti-arrhythmic drug currently used is lidocaine. Infusion of alkaline fluid is only useful in specific cases of prolonged resuscitation. Expired CO2 monitoring may be a useful guide, but discontinuing resuscitation is strictly a medical decision. AFTER RESUSCITATION: When spontaneous circulation has been achieved, the patient must be transported to a cardiac hospital for specialized care and etiological treatment.