Uso do Ultrassom na Parada Cardiorrespiratória: Estado da Arte: Ultrassom na Parada Cardíaca

Sudden cardiac or cardiorespiratory (CPA) arrest accounts for about half of all deaths from cardiovascular causes and is one of the leading causes of death in adults in developed and developing countries. Effective treatment of CPA consists of prompt care with high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early defibrillation at shocking rhythms, identification of the cause of CPA, and post-arrest care. Despite constantly updated and widely disseminated CPR guidelines, mortality from CRA is still very high, and there is significant heterogeneity of CRP causes and the inherent prognosis of each cause. In general, patients in CPA whose initial rhythm is non-shockable present a more significant challenge in identifying the cause of CPA. In this context, the ultrasound handled by the rescuer and used as an extension of the physical examination during CPR is associated with faster and more specific diagnoses and, consequently, a more significant number of specific treatments and a potentially better prognosis. Ultrasound can also be used to diagnose CRP and monitor the quality of CPR, guide procedures, and infer prognosis. In the last decade, many scientific publications have supported the use of ultrasound in CPR maneuvers, with a demonstration of a better prognosis in some subgroups. Currently, ultrasound is incorporated in emergency units of excellence as a fundamental resource for various situations. The purpose of this review is to provide information on the state-of-the-art use of ultrasound in CPA.