Cardiac arrest

Abstract High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with targeted post-arrest management have resulted in dramatic improvements in survival with favourable neurological outcome from in-hospital paediatric cardiac arrest over the past two decades. High-quality CPR focuses on five key components: (1) chest compression depth of at least one-third of the anterior–posterior chest diameter; (2) chest compression rate between 100 and 120 compressions per minute; (3) limitation of interruptions in chest compressions; (4) full chest recoil between compressions; and (5) avoidance of overventilation. Quantitative capnography with a target end-tidal CO2 of at least 20 mmHg and invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring targeting a diastolic blood pressure of at least 25 mmHg in infants and 30 mmHg in children during chest compressions are promising markers of effective CPR. Post-arrest management should target normoxia, normocarbia, normotension for age, and normoglycaemia with active targeted temperature management to prevent hyperthermia and surveillance for and aggressive treatment of seizures.