Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation: advanced life support and post-resuscitation care

Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is the cessation of spontaneous ventilation and systemic perfusion leading to inadequate tissue oxygen delivery and death. Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) is a technique utilized to reverse CPA. CPCR can be divided into three stages: basic life support; advanced life support and post-resuscitation care. This article provides a review of how to provide effective advanced life support after basic life support has been initiated and highlights the importance of post-resuscitation care in order to optimize the chance of the patient being discharged from hospital with a good quality of life. Recognition of CPA and basic life support has been discussed in a previous article (Archer, 2011).

Advanced life support concentrates on identification and treatment of arrhythmias, and drug and fluid therapy to support circulation. The steps can be remembered by the ‘DEF’ mnemonic (D, drugs; E, electrical activity of the heart; F, fluid therapy) following on from the ‘ABC’ of basic life support. While it is the job of the veterinary surgeon to select appropriate drugs, nurses should have an understanding of the drugs that may be required and the effects they exert.