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."
