Don't Hold Off Chest Compressions if Cardiac Patient Is Gasping

People in cardiac arrest need CPR -- even if they're gasping for air.

Bystanders, and even some doctors, sometimes hold off giving CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if a collapsed cardiac patient is still struggling to breathe. That could be a big mistake.

Cardiac arrest patients are more than five times more likely to survive if bystanders attempt resuscitation while the patient is still gasping, say Bentley J. Bobrow, MD, director of Arizona emergency medical services, and colleagues.

"Gasping is most frequent soon after collapse, and decreases with time," they note. "Bystander resuscitation efforts markedly improve survival in patients who are gasping from cardiac arrest."

Pittsburgh, PA–Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the nation’s leading cause of death and tragically claimed the life of NBC journalist Tim Russert and thousands of others last summer. The National Press Club book fair this week features the SCA Foundation and Jeremy Whitehead, whose story, “A Heart Too Good to Die - A Shocking Story of Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” depicts his wife Carolyn’s triumph over near death. Whitehead directs the Foundation’s national SCA Survivor Registry. “Challenging Sudden Death: A Community Guide to Help Save Lives,” co-authored by Mary Newman, SCA Foundation president, and Jim Christenson, MD, also will be highlighted. The SCA Foundation will also be recognized at the NPC Annual Awards Dinner.

Physicians Rank Increased Bystander CPR, Faster Patient-to-Doctor Time, Data Collection and Technology as Critical Improvement Areas in Resuscitation

Washington, D.C. – A new State of Resuscitation survey released today by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) finds an overwhelming majority (90 percent) of the emergency physicians surveyed believe that resuscitation practices in the United States are not very effective. Emergency physicians cite increased bystander CPR, faster patient-to-doctor time, improved data collection and sharing, and greater use of technology as critical to improving resuscitation for victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Mark Storace, Rocklin, CA – 46 at time of event (2007)

It was just another Tuesday afternoon in August. I am lucky enough in my job to be able to telecommute from home once a week. It was a fairly busy day taking conference call meetings and working on project tasks.

Scott Berens, Austin, TX – 27 at time of event (2008)

 Scott has the nickname ironman because he was continually partaking in extreme sports and athletic activities. Well, Scott can now truly live up to the name; he has a bionic addition. It was not by choice, and might even cramp his style a little, not that he would willingly let that happen of course. You see he recently had an ICD fitted under his pectoral muscle. It is there to protect him from another cardiac arrest. He is one of the lucky few to have survived his first one.

Cathy Hall, Ontario, Canada– 44 at time of event (2005)

In an effort to prevent a hotel reservation penalty, Cathy lived to actually stay in hospital. She had a terrible ache in her jaw and wanted to cancel the business trip. However the hotel would not accept the late cancellation. Cathy is so very glad her economic conscience forced her to attend the conference, because they had a defibrillator in that government building. Her intention to save her employer a hotel charge ended up saving her life instead!