The golden hour between life and death

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)

- ANNA JOSE @Kochi

A few months ago, a 70-year-old man collapsed suddenly at his home in Angamally, Kerala. His neighbour, who recognised the signs of cardiac arrest, immediately initiated CPR, which he learnt during a basic life support training session, and rushed him to a hospital.

“With CPR ongoing, they transported him to the emergency department, continuing chest compressions en route. He arrived in cardiac arrest, but thanks to high-quality early CPR, we were able to take over resuscitation immediately and achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The patient not only survived—he made a complete neurological recovery, with no deficits,” says Dr Binoy Xavier, head of emergency medicine and trauma care at Apollo Adlux Hospital, Angamaly.

A 2020 study ‘Early Management of Trauma - the golden hour’ notes that trauma is a leading cause of death in people below 40 years of age.

Most of the time, deaths occur as the treatment is delayed. “Golden hour, the first 60 minutes, is important, especially in trauma cases like road traffic accidents, worksite injuries, burns, etc. If treatment is delayed and the initial hours are missed, it can lead to increased mortality and morbidity, which is a long-term consequence,” said Dr Shajeer KP, head of the department of emergency medicine at Lisie Hospital, Kochi.