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ACLS emergency rescue process: How to save lives in times of crisis?
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a set of clinical guidelines developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) designed for emergency and urgent treatment of life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. These conditions may lead to or have led to cardiac arrest. ACLS not only expands the scope of basic life support (BLS), but also adds recommendations for medications and advanced treatment techniques, all of which are supported by the fundamental and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques in BLS.
Successful ACLS treatment begins with the correct diagnosis of the EKG rhythm leading to the cardiac arrest.
ACLS covers a wide range of critical situations, from dangerous arrhythmias to cardiac arrest. The algorithm typically involves five different areas: airway management, ventilation, cardiothoracic compressions (in continuation of BLS knowledge), defibrillation, and drug therapy. Due to the severity of these diseases and the lack of data on patients, clinical needs and the need for rapid, simultaneous treatment, ACLS will be performed in a standardized, algorithmic manner.
Among the common ECG patterns of cardiac arrest, ACLS guidance includes: ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole. ACLS includes dangerous but non-arresting heart rhythms, including narrow and wide pulses, torsades de pointes, atrial fibrillation or flutter with rapid ventricular response, and bradycardia.
Successful ACLS treatment typically requires a trained team, with common roles including team leader, backup team leader, CPR performer, airway/breathing specialist, and IV and medication administration specialist.
These members are typically physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, and allied health providers in in-hospital events and a smaller number of emergency technicians and paramedics in out-of-hospital events. Due to the specific nature of ACLS, those who provide these treatments must hold relevant certification.
ACLS certification is typically issued by several different national organizations, and its legitimacy is ultimately determined by the hospital's hiring and accreditation. This is because ACLS certification is required to practice medicine in most hospitals. This certification covers many aspects of ACLS, however some specialized resuscitation techniques are outside the scope of this certification and are limited to more specialized providers. ACLS teaching is based on ILCOR recommendations and is adapted by local medical authorities such as the American Red Cross or the European Resuscitation Council.
Studies have shown that when ACLS is delivered within the first six minutes of arrest, patient survival outcomes are better.
However, the study also found that the effects of ACLS are not necessarily entirely conducive to improving neurological outcomes. Some studies have suggested that ACLS education may have inconsistent or inadequate teaching methods, which can lead to poor knowledge retention and, in turn, impair implementation outcomes. In the face of the ACLS controversy, there is currently intense research on issues such as the use of vasopressors, ideal airway use, and different defibrillation waveforms.
We hope to accelerate the research and implementation of cardiac emergency care through international cooperation and common standardization. ILCOR was established in 1992 to facilitate communication and collaboration among international resuscitation organizations. The guidelines are updated every five years, but are now updated irregularly based on ongoing evidence assessment as science advances.
Over time, the ACLS guidelines have undergone several important updates since they were first published in 1974, especially in conjunction with the ILCOR consensus results. These updates not only cover the implementation of new technologies, but also reflect the medical community's understanding of emergency procedures. Emphasis on sustainable development.
In the critical moment between life and death, our action decision can save a life. Are you ready to step in when needed and save lives using these critical ACLS skills?
