The American Heart Association (AHA) released the updated guidelines for adult basic and advanced cardiac life support in October. The AHA noted that while in-hospital-cardiac arrest outcomes continue to improve, survival from non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has plateaued since 2012. Less than 40% of adults receive layperson-initiated CPR and fewer than 12% have an automated external defibrillator (AED) before EMS arrival.

The new changes in the 2020 version of the guidelines include enhanced algorithms and visual aids to provide easy-to-remember guidance for BLS and ACLS resuscitation. Use of real-time audio-visual feedback, continuous measurements of arterial blood pressure, and end-tidal carbon dioxide during ACLS resuscitation may be useful to improve CPR quality. Early initiation of CPR by lay rescuers and early administration of epinephrine has also been re-emphasized.

The AHA also advocated for a debriefing for lay rescuers, EMS providers, and hospital-based health care workers which may be beneficial for their mental health and well-being. Based on the most recent evidence, the AHA currently does not recommend double sequence defibrillation. For further details and complete updates please visit this link.