Advanced resuscitation techniques including airway management, arrhythmia detection, drug therapy, and defibrillation.
The resuscitation of dying patients; a process that involves management of the airway, reestablishment of breathing, and the restoration of spontaneous heart rhythm, blood pressure, and organ perfusion. ACLS begins with the recognition of cardiac or respiratory emergencies, and includes basic life support (opening the airway and providing chest compressions), defibrillation, endotracheal intubation, oxygenation and ventilation, the use of medications that restore normal cardiac rhythms and cardiac output, cardiac pacing (when needed), and post-resuscitation care. It may begin in the out-of-hospital setting, or take place in the hospital.