New European Resuscitation Council guidelines for pediatric life support and their implications for pediatric anesthesia: An educational article

Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Apr;32(4):497-503. doi: 10.1111/pan.14389. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Abstract

In this educational article, we summarize the changes in the new European Resuscitation Council guidelines for Pediatric Life Support, emphasizing the most important aspects for the anesthesiologist. Among these are: the use of two-thumb-encircling technique for thorax compressions in infants, 10 ml/kg as the standard volume fluid bolus and ventilation after intubation at an age-dependent rate. Using a fictitious case, we present a point-by-point summary of the changes and briefly mention some of the evidence behind them, referring the reader to the full guidelines for further evidence. We also give a summary of the incidence, causes, challenges, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric cardiac arrest in the operating room.

Keywords: guideline; life support; pediatric; resuscitation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia* / adverse effects
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* / methods
  • Child
  • Heart Arrest* / etiology
  • Heart Arrest* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Resuscitation / methods