Citation

Ristagno G, Tang W, Weil MH. Crit. Care Clin. 2009; 25(1): 133-51, ix.

Affiliation

Weil Institute of Critical Care Medicine, 35100 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ccc.2008.10.004

PMID

19268799

Abstract

Cardiac arrest represents a dramatic event that can occur suddenly and often without premonitory signs, characterized by sudden loss of consciousness and breathing after cardiac output ceases and both coronary and cerebral blood flows stop. Restarting of the blood flow by cardiopulmonary resuscitation potentially re-establishes some cardiac output and organ blood flows. This article summarizes the major events that encompass the history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, beginning with ancient history and evolving into the current American Heart Association's commitment to save hearts.

Language: en