Reanimación Cardio Pulmonar en el área de Terapia Intensiva.

Abstract: Cardiac arrest is a critical medical emergency whose management has evolved in parallel with scientific evidence and international guidelines issued by organizations such as the American Heart Association and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. This article reviews the management of cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit, focusing on the initial assessment, life support interventions, and specific considerations unique to this setting. These include continuous monitoring, cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the prone position, the use of mechanical chest compression devices, and the pivotal role of capnography. The importance of an organized and rapid response is emphasized, with early defibrillation and prompt identification of reversible causes using ultrasonography and other diagnostic tools as key priorities. Special considerations related to patients receiving mechanical ventilation, airway management, and the impact of pharmacotherapy are also discussed. Finally, adaptations required in special scenarios, such as patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or those in the postoperative period following thoracic surgery—are highlighted. Proper implementation of these strategies may improve rates of return of spontaneous circulation and survival among patients experiencing cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit. Cardiac arrest is a quintessential medical emergency; therefore, well-established global guidelines exist, including those from the American Heart Association and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Over time, and with the accumulation of scientific evidence, protocols for basic and advanced life support have evolved, with some of the most significant changes occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, this review focuses specifically on the intensive care unit as the clinical setting of interest.