Management of cardiac arrest: seven steps to survival.

Cardiac arrest is a common medical emergency. It usually occurs suddenly and results in irreversible brain damage unless prompt, effective treatment is instituted. One plan for dealing effectively with this emergency consists of seven steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: (1) establishing the diagnosis and deciding whether to resuscitate; (2) administering a precordial thump, noting the time and summoning aid; (3) establishing a patent airway and performing artificial ventilation and external cardiac compression; (4) instituting general supportive measures; (5) diagnosing the cardiac arrhythmia responsible for the arrest; (6) treating the arrhythmia; and (7) managing the patient after resuscitation.