Der Anaesthesist
-
A paper published in various US journals on Emergency Medicine in 1997, has raised considerable concerns. The authors question if it is justified to continue to recommend initial ventilation as part of basic CPR when performed by lay-bystanders. A few aspects need to be discussed and some questions have to be answered before any changes in the current recommendations may even be considered: e.g. 1. ⋯ Ad 2: Pepe's argument regarding the efficacy of endotracheal intubation (ETI) in VF-patients has not been scientifically proven and lacks conclusive evidence. ETI serves to protect the airways and lungs against aspiration of regurgitated material and to facilitate artificial ventilation including PEEP, both under anaesthesia and resuscitation. The efficacy of ETI in the OR has long b