Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines 2011

The main emphasis in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines are in the areas of good quality chest compressions, ensuring normoventilation, removal of atropine from the cardiac arrest algorithm, removal of the use of the endotracheal route for drug administration, and renewed focus on the care provided after return of spontaneous circulation. In addition, the need for monitoring of quality of the various care procedures is emphasised. While the various ACLS procedures are being carried out, there is a need to minimise interruptions to chest compressions for maintenance of coronary perfusion pressures. In addition, the resuscitation team needs to continually look out for reversible causes of the cardiac arrest.