The Role of AHAThe 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC reinforces the ECC Program’s mission, which is uniquely focused on empowering people to save lives. We are not exclusively responsible for the science upon which these Guidelines are based; rather, the 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC represent a committed effort of international volunteer leaders in reviewing, evaluating, and discussing resuscitation science through a multi-year, comprehensive review process.

Who Makes the ChangesThe 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC are based strictly on the science consensus reached by physicians, nurses, scientists, researchers, and EMS professionals from around the world. These volunteers are appointed by their peers and serve independently from the AHA and any commercial interests.

Clear, Unbiased JudgmentThe International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the AHA consider conflict of interest of the utmost importance in maintaining the integrity of the evidence evaluation process. Every good faith effort is taken to resolve any real or perceived conflicts of interest during the entire science review process. The conference is free of any financial support from commercial entities.

SAVE MORE LIVES WITH THE LATEST SCIENCECommitted to saving lives through research, training, and education

BETTER PRACTICES SAVE MORE LIVESMillions of healthcare professionals worldwide rely on the American HeartAssociation’s Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) andEmergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) in their mission to save more lives.These guidelines are based on a systematic, evidence-based review of resuscitation science. The science is always changing, which is why American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC are updated everyfive years, with additional Scientific Statements released when necessary.

In late 2010, the American Heart Association will publish new guidelinesfor CPR and ECC based on the scientific consensus of leaders in internationalresuscitation science. The guidelines reflect our continued commitment to save lives by updating resuscitation science, training, and education, and to improve the quality of care given by lay rescuers and healthcare providers.

LIFESAVING GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY TRUSTED PRACTITIONERS

2010

©2009, American Heart Association. 80-1100 1/09

Key Points of the 2010 Guidelines Process• Evidence-based• Thorough, detailed, collaborative and unbiased• International in scope• Involve actual practitioners who will base treatment on

new guidelines• Continually improving process• Include many opportunities for input over a long period of time.

PlanningILCOR, a body of seven (AHA, ERC, IAHF, HSFC, ANZCOR, RCSA, RCA) international resuscitation organizations, including the American Heart Association, began preparation for the 2010 International Consensus conference in early 2007.

Reviewing the ScienceILCOR is conducting systematic, evidence-based reviews and updates of more than 300 CPR and ECC topics. This process represents the most comprehensive review of the resuscitation literature to date.

International experts from different organizations will review each topic, rating the level and quality of evidence using a standardized international evidence evaluation process to develop a “worksheet” for each topic. Every worksheet will be reviewed by an evidence-evaluation expert to ensure that the review process was systematically and consistently used across disciplines. There are separate ILCOR task forces for Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Neonatal Life Support, Acute Coronary Syndromes/Myocardial Infarction, Education and Implementation teams.

Worksheets are then discussed in an ongoing series of international meetings, which will culminate with the 2010 International Consensus on CPR and ECC Science With Treatment Recommendations Conference, hosted by the AHA in February 2010. ILCOR will also initiate a public comment time during 2009 to allow the healthcare community to read, review, and comment on every worksheet on a public Internet site, www.americanheart.org/ILCOR

Presenting ResultsEach topic will be presented in either a plenary session, a discipline- specific breakout session, or a poster session. Each topic will be discussed and critiqued by the assembled international resuscitation experts until a consensus is reached.

Reaching ConsensusThe results of the 2010 Consensus Conference will be published in late 2010.

Inviting Feedback – Preliminary GuidelinesBased on the ILCOR 2010 Consensus, the American Heart Association will develop its 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.

From Consensus to GuidelinesThe 2010 Consensus Conference deals exclusively with evaluating and interpreting peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence in order to achieve a consensus on resuscitation science. The American Heart Association will then create new CPR and ECC Guidelines and practitioner recommendations from the international consensus on science.

• The ILCOR 2010 CPR Consensus recommendations will bepublished concurrently in the journals, Circulation and Resuscitation in late 2010.

• The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC will be publishedin Circulation in late 2010.

• The Winter issue of Currents, to be published in December 2010, will feature updates on resuscitation science most directly applicable to the needs of the AHA Instructor Network, healthcare providers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.

What the New Guidelines Mean for YouAs a practical matter, the 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC will involve change. You may have to learn new techniques, and you will need new training materials. The sooner you incorporate these new guidelines into your treatment regimen, the faster you will be able to translate the new science into saving more lives.

BE PREPAREDPlease register to receive your e-mail alert for the Winter issue of Currents at

americanheart.org/cpr

THE 2010 GUIDELINES PROCESS