Last update:

   19-Jan-2016
 

Arch Hellen Med, 33(1), January-February 2016, 45-50

BRIEF REVIEW

Τhe importance of chest compressions in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

I. Trikilis, A. Spyrou, E. Petrou
Division of Cardiology, "Onassis" Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is defined as a process applied to support breathing and circulation in a person who has stopped breathing (respiratory arrest) or whose heart has stopped functioning (cardiac arrest). The reason CPR applied is to maintain breathing and circulation, and thus to continue to provide blood and oxygen to the brain, heart and other vital organs. An important issue to be investigated is whether the application of the method is performed in an effective manner, particularly by ordinary citizens who are those most likely to be found at the incident site. Simplification of emergency CPR, with emphasis on the role of chest compressions, is essentially the answer to the question of how to make it feasible for more ordinary citizens and health professionals to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills and to be able to implement CPR quickly and efficiently when it becomes necessary.

Key words: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Chest compressions.


© Archives of Hellenic Medicine