title: [Airway control and ventilation in resuscitation].
abstract: Oxygenation and ventilation of the lungs is one major objective of cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] to provide oxygen to the heart and the brain. Prompt and correct airway management requires immediate opening of the airway and performing rescue breathing, preferably with supplemental oxygen. Endotracheal intubation provides definitive airway management, is the gold standard, has no equivalent substitute, and should be performed as soon as possible. If an endotracheal tube cannot be placed correctly, sufficient ventilation must be achieved by a face mask. Cricothyrotomy can be a life saving action in case of suffocation if airway control is impossible and airway obstruction cannot be relieved. Skills in techniques of airway management as part of CPR must be acquired in training programs under controlled conditions. In rescue breathing with the mouth technique, a barrier device against transmission of infectious diseases is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernoulli
mesh_terms: D001237:Asphyxia / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*