cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breathing to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest.
Full Definition
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when someone's heart stops beating or breathing ceases. It combines chest compressions to manually pump blood through the body with rescue breathing to provide oxygen. Modern CPR protocols emphasize high-quality chest compressions at 100-120 per minute with minimal interruptions. CPR may be combined with automated external defibrillation (AED) in cases of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Success rates vary significantly based on response time, quality of CPR, and underlying cause of arrest.
Usage
Usage note: Spell out fully in formal documentation; CPR acceptable in informal contexts.
In Context
- "High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated within two minutes of witnessed collapse." — Emergency response report
- "The healthcare team maintained continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation for fifteen minutes before achieving return of spontaneous circulation." — Medical incident documentation