Airway Management During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review summarizes the updated literature on airway management during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It provides guidance for clinicians to carefully incorporate the most recent recommendations related to airway management, oxygenation, and ventilation both during CPR and after return of spontaneous circulation. RECENT FINDINGS: The American Heart Association and the International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care provide updated recommendations related to airway management during CPR, which focus on advanced airway strategies in out-of-the hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest. There is no evidence that any single advanced airway technique is superior to the other in terms of survival and neurological outcomes. There is controversy as to whether early advanced airway management could lead to favorable outcome. SUMMARY: Advanced airway strategies and alternatives to airway management (including passive oxygenation) can be utilized in different settings while minimizing interruption in chest compressions.