Circulation. 2000;102:I-86-I-89
(Circulation. 2000;102:I-86.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.
Part 6: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Section 1: Introduction to ACLS 2000: Overview of Recommended Changes in ACLS From the Guidelines 2000 Conference
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Evidence-Based International Resuscitation Guidelines
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At the Second American Heart Association International Evidence
Evaluation
Conference and the international Guidelines 2000 Conference
on
CPR and ECC, the high level of participation of international
experts
changed profoundly the way all future resuscitation guidelines
will
be developed. Future resuscitation guidelines cannot achieve
validity
and consensus without international input. Enrichment comes
when
experts from different countrieswith different systems,
different
personnel, and different resourcesshare their ideas,
perspectives,
and experiences. Our guidelines are no longer just
descriptive"This
is how we do it here"but now can
also be
prescriptive"This
is how we should be doing it
in the future."
The experts at the conferences reached a strong consensus to change a
number of the CPR and ECC guidelines. Large portions of the earlier
guidelines remain unaltered or have been refined on the basis of new
data. Many topics, however, have been updated to reflect consensus
opinions developed according to the principles of evidence-based
medicine. While the evidence-based approach constrains the number of
new guidelines endorsed, it clarifies perspectives on the evidence
reviewedand on the amount of research still needed.
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New Topics, New Problems, New Guidelines
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Because of rapid development of new therapies and strategies,
the
sections on acute myocardial infarction (MI) (now
acute
coronary syndromes) and stroke have undergone major
change. We have expanded
the section on special resuscitation
situations for experienced
providers. This includes new topics that are
known to be important
causes of cardiac arrest but that we have not
addressed before,
for example, cardiac arrest and altered vital signs
caused by
drug overdoses and toxins, life-threatening electrolyte
abnormalities,
near-fatal asthma, and anaphylaxis. These problems
challenge
ACLS providers all over the world.
This introductory ACLS section discusses these changes in
recommendations, based on evidence review and consensus opinion. The
reasons for the class recommendations and the evidence-based approach
are reviewed briefly with comments from the Evidence Evaluation
Conference and the Guidelines 2000 Conference. The full details of this
intense process will be published in the Proceedings of the
Guidelines 2000 Conference and in the journal Annals of
Emergency Medicine.
The new recommendations include the following:
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Pharmacology of Resuscitation
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- Amiodarone (Class IIb) and
procainamide (Class IIb) are recommended ahead of
lidocaine and adenosine for the initial treatment of
hemodynamically stable wide-complex
tachycardia, especially in patients with compromised
cardiac function.
- Amiodarone and sotalol (a drug that
awaits Food and Drug Administration approval for US use) are new agents
recommended as Class IIa agents for the treatment of stable
monomorphic and polymorphic ventricular
tachycardia (VT).
- References to bretylium have been dropped from the
ventricular fibrillation (VF)/pulseless VT algorithm. In
1998 through 2000, severe problems with obtaining the raw materials to
produce bretylium stopped the supply for a number of months. These
guidelines must avoid generating a demand that cannot be met by an
undependable source. The worlds natural sources of bretylium appear
to be nearly exhausted. Bretylium remains acceptable to use, but it is
no longer recommended. Bretylium has a high incidence of side effects,
particularly hypotension, in the postresuscitation setting. Bretylium
stays as a Class IIb recommendation because no new, supportive
information is available and some studies question its efficacy.
- Lidocaine is an established agent that suffered during our
new emphasis on evidence. Although lidocaine remains acceptable as an
antiarrhythmic to use for the treatment of shock-refractory VF and
pulseless VT, the evidence supporting its efficacy is poor and
methodologically weak (levels 6, 7, and 8 only). The evidence
supporting amiodarone is much stronger (one level 1 study) and
justifies use of amiodarone before lidocaine in the opinion of
many. The conference experts concluded that lidocaine could continue to
be used for VF/VT but that given the antiquated evidence, it merits
only an Indeterminate class of recommendation (Class
Indeterminate). Lidocaine has not been recommended for routine
prophylaxis of ventricular arrhythmias in the
setting of acute MI for >8 years. Conference experts reexamined this
topic and concluded that the data do not justify changing the
classification of lidocaine to a Class III
(evidence-of-harm) agent.
- Amiodarone, a respected and effective agent in
the hospital, catheterization suite, and critical care
unit, is included only in the notes for the VF/pulseless VT algorithm.
The algorithm states "consider antiarrhythmics," referring the
reader to several notes. Methodological problems in studying
out-of-hospital VF/VT arrest limit the conclusions that can be drawn
about any antiarrhythmic. The evidence supporting antiarrhythmics in
general is only fair, and this accounts for the fact that all
antiarrhythmics are lumped into one Class IIb "consider" category.
However, on the strength of design and execution in the ARREST study
(Kudenchuk PJ, Cobb LA, Copass MK, Cummins RO, Doherty AM, et al.
N Engl J Med. 1999;341:871878),
amiodarone does have better evidence-based support than any
other antiarrhythmic. The expert panel members would have no problem
with clinicians routinely using amiodarone as the first-choice
antiarrhythmic for shock-refractory VF/VT. This practice decision,
however, must be made with a clear awareness that the
evidencepowerful in the designwas weak in the conclusions.
- Magnesium has shown effectiveness only in the treatment of
known hypomagnesemic states and torsades de pointes, for which it still
has a Class IIb recommendation.
- Vasopressin (arginine vasopressin) may be a more effective
pressor agent than epinephrine for promoting the return of
spontaneous circulation in cardiac arrest. The evidence from
prospective clinical trials in humans is limited but
consistently positive (Class IIb). Vasopressin (40 U IV, not
repeated) may be substituted for epinephrine as an alternative
Class IIb agent. The lower adverse effects profile may be the major
indication for vasopressin.
- Research on high-dose epinephrine has not yet shown
that routine use of initial and repeated or escalating doses of
epinephrine can improve survival in cardiac arrest (Class
Indeterminate). Nor has high-dose epinephrine (0.1 mg/kg) in
adults been shown to improve survival or neurological outcomes. Some
troublesome evidence indicates that cardiac arrest survivors who
received high-dose epinephrine have more postresuscitation
complications than survivors who received the standard dose. Because of
the potential for harm, high-dose epinephrine (0.1 mg/kg) is
not recommended (Class Indeterminate).
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Ventilation
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- The experts on the Ventilation Panels recommend a
reduction in the ventilation tidal volume for patients not
in cardiovascular collapse to approximately one half of
that recommended previously. Volume should approximate 6 to 7 mL/kg
over 1.5 to 2 seconds (Class IIa). Higher volumes increase risk of
gastric inflation without improving blood oxygenation.
For clinical guidance, resuscitation professionals can use the "chest
rise" sign as a rough indication of ventilation tidal volumes that
are in the range of 6 to 7 mL/kg. Smaller tidal volumes, however, raise
the risk of inducing both hypoxia and hypercarbia.
Consequently, a widespread recommendation to provide supplemental
oxygen, adjusted on the basis of oxygen saturation readings, appears
laudable, although specific, high-level evidence to support this
recommendation has not yet become available.
- Tracheal intubation in unconscious patients should be
attempted only by healthcare providers experienced in performing this
skill. Such persons should increase their experience in tracheal
intubations steadily by performing intubations frequently or by
retraining regularly. Only personnel with advanced life support
training and documented skills should attempt tracheal intubation.
Furthermore, ALS providers unable to obtain regular field experience
(nonevidence-based guideline: 6 to 12 times per year) should use
alternative, noninvasive techniques for airway management.
- In the absence of a bag-mask device or authorization to perform
tracheal intubation, healthcare providers may use alternative airways
(laryngeal mask airway, esophageal-tracheal Combitube, pharyngotracheal
lumen airway) (Class IIb).
- In the opinion of many experts the single most important new
recommendation from the Guidelines 2000 is long overdue: emergency
responders must confirm tracheal tube position by using
nonphysical examination techniques. These include esophageal
detector devices, qualitative end-tidal CO2
indicators, and capnographic and capnometric devices. In
patients not in full cardiac arrest these devices are Class IIa. In
cardiac arrest and conditions of low pulmonary flow, these
devices are lowered to Class IIb because the devices may falsely
indicate esophageal placement, leading to unnecessary removal of a
properly placed tube.
- Growing evidence suggests that tracheal tube dislodgments
after a successful tracheal tube insertion may be occurring at much
higher rates than previously suspected. Emphasis should be placed on
securing the tube carefully with a tie or tape. With little evidence to
directly support any specific commercial device, tracheal tube holders
are a Class IIb recommendation. During long transport efforts in the
out-of-hospital setting, restless intubated patients can be fitted with
a cervical collar and immobilized with sandbags (or some
other validated technique) to prevent accidental tube dislodgment. With
little evidence to directly support any specific commercial device,
tracheal tube holders are a Class IIb recommendation. During long
transport efforts in the out-of-hospital setting, intubated patients
are at high risk for tracheal tube dislodgment. Monitors for oxygen
saturation and end-tidal CO2 levels can detect
tube dislodgments. The best technique, however, to prevent, detect, and
correct tube dislodgment is the constant vigilance of care
providers.
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Defibrillation
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- Healthcare providers with a duty to perform CPR need to be trained,
equipped, and authorized to use an automated external defibrillator
(AED) (Class IIa).
- Hospitals need to establish a comprehensive program for in-hospital
early CPR and early defibrillation. Hospital staff members trained in
CPR need to be capable of providing early defibrillation.
- Hospitals need to establish programs to achieve early defibrillation
throughout the facilities and in related patient care areas (Class
I).
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Public Access Defibrillation Programs
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- Public access defibrillation (PAD) programs have the potential to
reduce one of the major health problemsVF-induced cardiac arrest.
- AEDs are recommended for public sites with a high probability of at
least one use every 5 years (1 arrest per 5 years). Select sites for
AED deployment that are within a 5-minute radius of the majority of
expected arrests but outside a 5-minute radius of the closest EMS units
(Class IIb).
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Acute Coronary Syndromes
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- The prehospital 12-lead ECG improves prehospital
diagnosis, reduces hospital-based time to treatment, identifies
patients requiring reperfusion, contributes to mortality reduction, and
facilitates triage to cardiac centers with interventional facilities.
The prehospital ECG is useful and effective in prehospital
urban/suburban EMS systems and should become standard equipment on all
ACLS units that handle acute coronary syndrome patients (Class
IIa).
- Prehospital fibrinolytic therapy is beneficial when the
transport of patients with acute infarction from home to the hospital
is prolonged and should be considered by busy EMS systems (Class IIa).
At present, prehospital screening of chest pain patients allows
ambulance personnel to notify hospital personnel that a person with a
probable acute MI is en route for further evaluation and care.
If the total time of the following 2 intervals exceeds 60
minutes, consider prehospital fibrinolytics: (1) onset of chest pain to
contact of ACLS personnel with the patient, and (2) arrival of ACLS
personnel at the patients side to arrival at the
hospital. In Europe a prehospital fibrinolytic program
is considered whenever the above intervals exceed 30 minutes. Moreover,
if the Emergency Department has a door-to-fibrinolytic interval
consistently >60 minutes, prehospital fibrinolytic treatment
should offer superior outcomes.
- Angioplasty is an alternative to fibrinolytic therapy (Class
I) in centers with high volume and experienced operators. Patients in
cardiogenic shock who are <75 years of age need transportation to
cardiac interventional centers for initiation of primary angioplasty
and intra-aortic balloon placement. Benefit occurs, however, only when
door-to-balloon times average
90 minutes (Class I). Patients who are
not eligible for fibrinolytic therapy because of increased risk of
intracranial bleeding need to be transported or transferred to these
centers (Class IIa). Patients with large anterior infarctions, low
blood pressure (systolic blood pressure
100 mm Hg),
increased heart rate (
100 beats per minute), or rales more than one
third of the way up are also candidates (Class IIa). Prehospital EMS
systems should develop triage policies where applicable.
Antiplatelet therapy with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
inhibitors for patients with nonQ-wave MI and high-risk
unstable angina provides clinically significant benefit (Class IIa).
Antithrombin therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins is now an
alternative to unfractionated heparin in high-risk unstable
angina/nonQ-wave MI patients. Data for this class of agents, however,
is heterogeneous, in part because of variable
antifactor Xa inhibition (Class Indeterminate). The dose of
unfractionated heparin, when used as adjunctive therapy with
fibrin-specific lytics (alteplase, reteplase) is now reduced to a bolus
of 60 U/kg (maximum 4000 U) and an infusion of 12 IU/kg per hour. This
dose reduction will help to minimize the incidence of
intracerebral
hemorrhage. Metabolic manipulation
of the infarct with glucose-potassium-insulin is under continuing
investigation. This therapy is acceptable and of some benefit for
diabetic patients and patients undergoing reperfusion (Class
IIb). All patients with acute MI, including
nonQ-wave MI, need aspirin and ß-blockers in the absence of
contraindications (Class I). Patients with a large anterior infarction,
left ventricular dysfunction, and ejection fraction <40%
need early angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in the
absence of hypotension.
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Stroke
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- Intravenous recombinant tissue
plasminogen activator (rtPA) improves
neurological outcome when administered within 3 hours of stroke onset
in patients who meet fibrinolytic criteria (Class I). Patients with
stroke presenting within 3 hours require emergent triage. The
urgency should equal that of an acute MI, with ST-segment
elevation.
- The use of rtPA in patients with symptom onset between 3 and
6 hours of presentation at an Emergency Department is under
investigation. While subgroups of such patients may benefit from
fibrinolytic treatment, routine use is not currently recommended (Class
Indeterminate).
- Prourokinase has been found to improve neurological outcome
in patients treated within 3 to 6 hours in one completed but
unpublished study. Review of the published data and additional studies
are needed before this fibrinolytic agent can be recommended (Class
Indeterminate).
- EMS systems should implement a prehospital stroke protocol
to rapidly identify patients who may benefit from fibrinolytic
therapy. This approach is similar to the protocol for chest pain
patients (Class IIb). Transport patients who may be candidates for
fibrinolytic therapy to hospitals identified as acute stroke treatment
facilities with 24-hour availability of computerized tomography and
interpretation (Class IIb).
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Postresuscitation Care
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- Following cardiac arrest, do not actively rewarm patients who are
mildly hypothermic (Class IIb). Active initiation of hypothermia after
cardiac arrest is under clinical investigation (Class Indeterminate).
Treat febrile patients to achieve normothermia, a goal of early
therapy (Class IIa).
- Following cardiac arrest, ventilatory values in patients who require
mechanical ventilation should be maintained within the normal range
(Class IIa). Hyperventilation may be harmful and should be avoided
(Class III). An exception is the use of hyperventilation in patients
who have signs of cerebral herniation after resuscitation.
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Toxicology
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- Cocaine use is associated with serious ventricular
arrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes. The use of
ß-blockers in patients with cocaine-associated acute coronary
syndromes has caused coronary vasoconstriction and should be
avoided (Class III). Nitrates should be first-line therapy (Class I)
together with benzodiazepines (Class IIa).
-Adrenergic blocking
agents may induce tachycardia and hypotension and should be
reserved for patients who do not respond to nitrates and
benzodiazepines (Class IIb).
- Hypotension or ventricular arrhythmias occur with
tricyclic overdose. The induction of systemic alkalosis (pH of 7.50 to
7.55) is the treatment of choice (Class IIa). Antiarrhythmic agents
such as lidocaine or procainamide have not been studied in this
setting (Class Indeterminate).
- Acute respiratory failure (respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia) may
occur with opiate overdose. Reverse these abnormalities by mechanical
ventilation before the administration of naloxone. This will reduce the
incidence of pulmonary edema and serious arrhythmias
associated with abrupt catecholamine elevation (Class
IIa).
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Overview of ACLS
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ACLS includes the knowledge and skills necessary to provide
the
appropriate early treatment for cardiopulmonary arrest.
Additional
important areas include the proper management of situations
likely
to lead to cardiac arrest and stabilization of the patient in
the
early period following successful resuscitation. ACLS includes
(1)
basic life support; (2) use of advanced equipment and special
techniques
for establishing and maintaining effective ventilation and
circulation;
(3) ECG monitoring, 12-lead ECG interpretation, and
arrhythmia
recognition; (4) establishment and
maintenance of intravenous
access; (5) therapies
for the treatment of patients with cardiac
or respiratory arrest
(including stabilization in the postarrest
phase); (6) treatment of
patients with suspected acute coronary
syndromes, including
acute MI; and (7) strategies for rapid
assessment and treatment with
tPA of eligible stroke patients.
ACLS includes the knowledge, training,
and judgment required
to use these skills and the ability to perform
them.
Communities should provide rapid and effective ACLS. Every community
should strive continually to implement the Chain of Survival and
provide as many high-quality ACLS components as possible, in particular
very early defibrillation using AEDs (see "Part 4: The Automated
External Defibrillator: Key Link in the Chain of Survival") and
noninvasive airway support.
BLS and ACLS should be integrated into a community as part of an EMS
system. This system should have sufficient laypersons trained in BLS to
ensure immediate ventilatory and circulatory assistance to any cardiac
arrest victim within 5 minutes and immediate entry of that victim into
the EMS system. We strongly encourage implementation of public access
defibrillation in high-risk settings. In turn the emergency care
system, under medical supervision, should provide rescue personnel
adequately trained in BLS and ACLS to respond promptly when summoned.
ACLS must be continued either until the patient has been admitted to a
medical facility capable of continuing care or until life support
efforts have been terminated by order of the responsible physician or
by a properly executed advance directive.
The same level of training, commitment, and medical supervision should
be applied to in-hospital ACLS. In particular, prompt BLS and rapid
defibrillation should be available in all areas of a healthcare
facility (Class IIa).
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BLS and Early Defibrillation
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For people in cardiac arrest,
rapid defibrillation in <5
minutes is a high-priority goal. Community and in-hospital ACLS
must
be supported by a well-established BLS program that can provide
immediate
emergency CPR. The Evidence Evaluation Conference and
Guidelines
2000 Conference again affirmed and endorsed the principle of
early
defibrillation from 1991the recommendation that healthcare
providers
with a duty to respond to cardiac arrest should be educated,
equipped,
and authorized to perform automated external defibrillation
(Class
IIa). The ideal response time is achieved when people collapse
in
front of a person who has an AED. Such cases occur in many
locations,
and in general the survival rate can be 70% to 80%.
For respiratory arrest, airway adjuncts and ventilation devices should
be readily available. In cardiac arrest, the need for early
defibrillation is clear and should have the highest priority. Today,
with the availability of AEDs, defibrillation is considered part of
BLS. Adjunctive equipment should not divert attention or effort from
basic resuscitative measures. Rescue personnel should know the
indications for and techniques of using adjunctive equipment. Such
equipment should be tested periodically according to prescribed
regulations and each periodic test documented.
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Footnotes
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Circulation. 2000;102(suppl I):I-86I-89.
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