There has been much debate lately over the optimal amount of time to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and whether or not the longer duration of CPR can increase survival rates. How long is CPR performed? How long should it be done and does the amount of time CPR is performed have any bearing on achieving spontaneous circulation or survival rates?
There are no clear-cut guidelines regarding how long CPR should be continued. The original thinking behind performing CPR suggested that prolonged CPR often resulted in permanent brain damage and, even if patients survived, they faced life-altering neurological issues as a result. On the contrary, a new study suggests that those who receive continued CPR and achieve spontaneous circulation managed as well as those who were resuscitated quickly. As a matter of fact, the study suggests CPR can keep blood circulating for up to 30 minutes without brain damage.