What should be done if an adult victim of cardiac arrest has an advanced airway in place?

When an adult victim of cardiac arrest has an advanced airway in place, the recommended approach is to provide continuous chest compressions without pausing for breaths. This technique is beneficial because the presence of an advanced airway, such as an endotracheal tube or a supraglottic airway device, allows for oxygenation to occur more effectively even when compressions are ongoing.

The rationale behind this practice is that continuous compressions help maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the heart and brain, increasing the chances of survival until advanced medical help arrives. While it is still important to provide rescue breaths in conjunction with high-quality chest compressions for patients without an advanced airway, the advanced airway facilitates passive ventilation during compressions, thus eliminating the need for interruptions. This strengthens the overall effectiveness of resuscitation efforts.

This approach aligns with current guidelines that emphasize minimizing interruptions during CPR, as prolonged pauses can significantly reduce the quality of chest compressions and overall outcomes in cardiac arrest situations.