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.