Emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) guidelines

Emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) guidelines

Emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) guidelines were first published in 1974 [1]. Subsequent guidelines were published in 1980 [2], 1986 [3] and 1992 [4]

By 2000, it became a combined effort of American Heart Association (AHA) in collaboration with International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) [5]. ILCOR systematically reviews resuscitation science and forms evidence based guidelines. They have formed six task forces, one each for basic life support, advanced life support, acute coronary syndromes, pediatric life support, neonatal life support, and an interdisciplinary task force which addresses overlapping topics such as education. Two additional task forces were formed by AHA for stroke and first aid, making a total of eight task forces. The final result was the 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations [6].

The guidelines were subsequently being revised once in every 5 years. One important change is the revision from ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) sequence to CAB (circulation, airway, breathing) to give more stress on chest compressions. In 2015 there was a transition in the ILCOR evidence evaluation process and the development of guidelines by AHA. Henceforth it will be a continuous simultaneous process, with systematic reviews performed as new published evidence warrants [7].

References

1. Standards for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care (ECC). 3. Advanced life support. JAMA. 1974; 227: (suppl): 852–860.
2. Standards and guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care (ECC). JAMA. 1980; 244: 453–509.
3. Standards and guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC). National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council. JAMA. 1986; 255: 2905–2989.
4. Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care. Emergency Cardiac Care Committee and Subcommittees, American Heart Association. Part IX. Ensuring effectiveness of community wide emergency cardiac care. JAMA. 268(16):2289-95.
5. American Heart Association in collaboration with International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2000; 102 (suppl): I1–I384.
6. International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation. 2005; 112: III-1–III-136.
7. Jonathan P Duff, Alexis A Topjian, Marc D Berg, Melissa Chan, Sarah E Haskell, Benny L Joyner Jr, Javier J Lasa, S Jill Ley, Tia T Raymond, Robert Michael Sutton, Mary Fran Hazinski, Dianne L Atkins. 2019 American Heart Association Focused Update on Pediatric Advanced Life Support: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2019 Dec 10;140(24):e904-e914.