Recommendations of the international guidelines 2000 conference on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care: an overview.

The greatest potential for survival of sudden cardiac arrest can be achieved only by providing early intervention using evidence-based therapies that have been studied over time. Emergency cardiac care and the 2000 advanced cardiac life support guidelines encompass all therapies that have been shown to improve outcomes in patients who experience life-threatening events that involve the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and pulmonary systems. Early recognition of warning signs, activation of emergency medical systems within the community, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation, airway management, and intravenous medication administration are key factors in improving resuscitation outcomes.