Pediatric CPR delivered with arrest is associated with 60% return of spontaneous
circulation. 27% of the pool of patients are able to be discharged to home and 80% of
the cohort of patients have no neurologic sequlae.
When a “code” is called, determine whether there is a shockable (VF/VT) or
nonshockable rhythm. VF/VT is treated and defibrillation, epinephrine first.
If it is not VT or VF epinephrine and CPR are the only modalities.
Breath Rate Depth (inches)
Infant 20/min 100/ minute 1/3 to ½ of chest
Pediatric 20/min 100/minute 1/3 to ½ of chest
Adult 12/min 100/minute At least 2
Infant—newborn to 1 year of age
Pediatric—up to 8 years
Adult—Greater than 8 years
CPR delivers 25-33% of normal cardiac output. Ventilating deeply makes cardiac output
decrease even further.
In children, getting an arterial diastolic BP > 30 and ET > 15 has been associated with
return of spontaneous circulation, but not to long term survival.