Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: one size does not fit all.

Abstract

The epidemic of “sudden death,” primarily due to a dysrhythmic event that is triggered by ischemia of the myocardium, is the predominant mechanism of cardiac arrest in industrialized countries. The emphasis on early defibrillation and therefore on public access defibrillation is a response to this epidemic.1–4 However, the emphasis on sudden death should not dominate discussion to the extent that other mechanisms of cardiac arrest are minimized. Stated simply, one size does not fit all. In an attempt to simplify interventions by bystanders, we have had to de-emphasize “diagnosis.” Especially in younger victims of cardiac …