Ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A narrative review.

Ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is vital to achieve optimal oxygenation but continues to be a subject of ongoing debate. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of various components and challenges of ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, highlighting key areas of uncertainty in the current understanding of ventilation management. It addresses the pulmonary pathophysiology during cardiac arrest, the importance of adequate alveolar ventilation, recommendations concerning the maintenance of airway patency, tidal volumes and ventilation rates in both synchronous and asynchronous ventilation. Additionally, it discusses ventilation adjuncts such as the impedance threshold device, the role of positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation, and passive oxygenation. Finally, this review offers directions for future research.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: ‘JVE reports no conflict of interest. LD reports an unrestricted grant to her institution from Stryker Emergency Care, outside the scope of this study. PS reports a grant from Health Holland, outside the scope of this study. RK reports non-financial support to his institution, and personal fees from Stryker Emergency Care outside the scope of this study. HvS reports an unrestricted grant from the Zoll Foundation and Stryker Emergency Care to his institution, outside the scope of this study.’.
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