Current concepts in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The "chain of survival" is important in the resuscitation of a patient who has had a cardiac arrest. The provision of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is essential in this "chain of survival." Both BLS and ACLS have undergone several revisions since their initial inception. This article reviews (1) the current established and investigational issues of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, (2) the incidence and outcomes of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest, (3) the use of cardiopulmonary bypass in resuscitation, and (4) cerebral protection during and after resuscitation.