AHA recommendation changes by year

For current guidlines see ACLS (Main)

2010 AHA Recommendation Changes

• Routine use of cricoid pressure is NOT recommended
• Airway adjunct is recommended while performing ventilation
• Pulse/rhythm checks should only occur q2min
• Most critical component is high-quality compressions
• Atropine and cardiac pacing are NOT recommended for asystole/PEA

2011 AHA Recommendation Changes

• Bystandard CPR changes to CAB (Chest compressions, Airway, Breathing), instead of ABCs
• De-emphasize Drugs, Devices, and other Distracters
  • Emphasize good CPR
• Atropine is removed for bradycardia
  • Use an epinephrine drip or dopamine drip if needed
• Bicarbonate is out removed
  • Except for specific toxidromes or renal failure
• Procainamide is first for stable VTach
  • Continue to use amiodarone for unstable
• Use Amiodarone for UNSTABLE VTach
  • Lidocaine is removed for unstable VTach
• New section on post arrest care
• No tPA for HTN Emergency BP (>200/110)
  • Reduce BP first
• Special sections and algorithms added for 15 special situations (ie. pregnancy, stroke, PE)

See Also

ACLS (Main)