Dear Customer,

The 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care were just released. The American Heart Association just released their 2020 guidelines.  I want to update you regarding a few changes and observations.

• The pediatric rate of breaths has increased from
  1 breath every 3-5 sec to 1 breath every 2-3 seconds which is 20-30 breaths per
  minute. When performing CPR with an advanced airway in place, the breathing
  rate also increases to 1 breath every 2-3 seconds which is 20-30 breaths per
  minute.
• The role of a “CPR Coach” is recommended to assure that good high-quality CPR is maintained.
• When performing CPR on a pregnant woman, it is recommended that a rescuer manually displaces the uterus towards the left side.
• The use of two thumbs is acceptable for one or two rescuer infant CPR.
• Opiate related emergencies and the use of naloxone is reinforced in its own algorithm.
• Early Epinephrine administration is emphasized in pulseless non shockable situations, when shockable then epinephrine should be administered when able but not at the expense of defibrillation.
• The adult bradycardia atropine dose increased from 0.5 mg to 1 mg.
• Only cuffed ET tubes are recommended for pediatric intubation.
• The pediatric tachycardia algorithms are now combined into one.  The material listed in the algorithm is different than in the past but not a true change.  Two observations, vagal maneuvers are not listed for unstable narrow complex tachycardia, if unstable do not delay and go right to adenosine.  In stable wide complex tachycardia, obtain expert advice before giving amiodarone.  In stable wide complex tachycardia adenosine can safely be attempted to rule out an aberrant SVT.

Just wanted to share an update.

Regards,

Matt Goldstein, DHSc, PA-C, NRP

Startbeat, LLC- American Heart Association Training Center