Novelties in the pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation recommendations and lines of development in Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the 2020 international and European recommendations for Paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), highlighting the most important changes and propose lines of development in Spain.

Methods: Critical analysis of the paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation recommendations of the European Resuscitation Council.

Results: The most relevant changes in the CPR recommendations for 2020 are in basic CPR the possibility of activating the emergency system after performing the five rescue ventilations with the mobile phone on loudspeaker, and in advanced CPR, bag ventilation between two rescuers if possible, the administration of epinephrine as soon as a vascular access is obtained, the increase in the respiratory rate in intubated children between 10 and 25 bpm according to their age and the importance of controlling the quality and coordination of CPR. In CPR training, the importance of training non-technical skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication and frequent training to reinforce and maintain competencies is highlighted.

Conclusions: It is essential that training in Paediatric CPR in Spain follows the same recommendations and is carried out with a common methodology, adapted to the characteristics of health care and the needs of the students. The Spanish Paediatric and Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Group should coordinate this process, but the active participation of all paediatricians and health professionals who care for children is also essential.

Keywords: Advanced life support; Basic life support; Cardiac arrest; Educación médica; Medical education; Paediatric resuscitation; Parada cardiaca; Reanimación cardiopulmonar; Reanimación cardiopulmonar avanzada; Reanimación cardiopulmonar básica; Reanimación cardiopulmonar pediátrica; Resuscitation.