Definition and purpose of CPR

Summary

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure used when a person has cardiac or respiratory arrest. It primarily involves chest compressions, often combined with artificial ventilation, to preserve brain function and maintain circulation until spontaneous breathing and a viable heartbeat can be restored. CPR is recommended for someone who is unresponsive and not breathing or only breathing abnormally (e.g., agonal respirations). The purpose of CPR is to delay tissue death by restoring partial flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. It does not reliably restart the heart by itself; instead, it buys time by maintaining circulation and oxygen delivery while the underlying cause is addressed. Defibrillation (an electric shock) is usually needed to restore a shockable heart rhythm (such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia), and CPR is continued until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or death is declared.

Key Points

• 1

  CPR is used for cardiac or respiratory arrest and includes chest compressions, often with rescue breaths/ventilation.

• 2

  CPR’s main purpose is to delay brain and tissue death by maintaining partial oxygenated blood flow until normal circulation returns or defibrillation/advanced care can be provided.

• 3

  Defibrillation is typically required to restore a viable rhythm, and it works only for certain shockable rhythms; CPR continues until ROSC or death is declared.