April 10, 2008 – Providing rapid assistance to a person in cardiac arrest matters more than the resuscitation technique employed. This is what experts from the American Association for Heart Disease (AHA) point out.
What to do if you witness a cardiac arrest?
First, call for help without delay, by dialing 911, remind the experts. Then, immediately apply sustained compressions to the victim’s chest, until the ambulance arrives.
Also, knowledge of the complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique (CPR – chest compressions and artificial respiration) is not essential.
Experts insist, “If you ignore or forget the CPR technique, just give chest compressions.” What matters most is rapid intervention to maintain blood flow, they point out.
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The speed of intervention is the factor most likely to save lives and prevent permanent sequelae in the event of cardiac arrest. |
Studies in recent years show that a simple cardiac massage – without artificial respiration – offers as much chance of survival as the complete technique of CPR. This simple gesture can save a person’s life and prevent permanent sequelae.
It should be noted that half of deaths from cardiac arrest occur within an hour of the onset of the first signs, before the patient can be taken to hospital.2.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
1. Sayre MR, Berg RA, et al. Hands-Only (Compression-Only) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Call to Action for Bystander Response to Adults Who Experience Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest. A Science Advisory for the Public From the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, Circulation, March 31, 2008. Full text: http://circ.ahajournals.org
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Act Fast During Heart Attacks. Press release issued March 24, 2008, available at www.cdc.gov [consulté le 8 avril 2008].
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