Abstract
The incidence of cardiac arrests occurring in inpatient healthcare facilities varies between 1 to 5 cases per 1000 admissions. Inspite of immediate availability of treatment by qualified medical personnel with full resuscitation equipment, the treatment results are often not satisfactory.
Basic principles of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on current European Resuscitation Council guidelines are summarized in the article and the most important steps of the treatment procedure are highlighted. Cardiac arrests in patients admitted into a hospital are not generally unpredictable events, but they are usually preceded by progressive deterioration of the patient's condition.
In terms of prognosis, preventive measures and early treatment of all acute disorders are essential, and may even prevent the onset of cardiac arrest altogether. Ultrasound imaging can be beneficial in searching for underlying cause.