COVID-19 cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Guidelines and modifications

Abstract

International societies like the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), American Heart Association (AHA), and UK Resuscitation Council have suggested modified guidelines for resuscitation during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Though there is consensus in most of the recommendations there are also disparities. Considering the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and our better understanding of the spread of the disease, there is an urgent need to suggest modifications to the existing guidelines. These modifications should allay the fear of health care workers regarding their safety and reluctance to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but should also address the serious concerns where an opportunity is lost to revive patients who may not be COVID positive as suspected.