Overall, standard Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) principles apply similarly to pregnant patients as they do to other adult patients. There are some modifications to consider:
- Left uterine displacement 15 to 30 degrees
- Consider airway edema associated with pregnancy
- Decreased functional residual capacity in pregnancy
- Chest compressions should be preformed higher on the sternum than in nonpregnant patients
- Discontinue magnesium sulfate (if running) and administer calcium chloride or calcium gluconate for cardiac protection
References
- Lipman S, et al. The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology consensus statement on the management of cardiac arrest in pregnancy. Anesth. Analg.: 2014, 118(5);1003-16 PubMed Link
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