Revolutionizing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Contemporary Advances and Challenges

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Intensive Care/ Anesthesiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 August 2026 | Viewed by 6850

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
Interests: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; neuroscience; emergency medicine

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
Interests: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; respiratory medicine; emergency medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
Interests: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; anesthesiology; emergency medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a vital medical procedure used to revive individuals from life-threatening conditions, primarily focusing on restoring normal breathing and blood circulation. Over the years, this field has witnessed profound innovations that extend beyond basic techniques to include mechanical aids, advanced pharmacological interventions, and sophisticated monitoring technologies.

The Special Issue, titled "Revolutionizing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Contemporary Advances and Challenges", addresses the latest advancements and obstacles in pre-clinical, clinical, and community-based settings within the domain of resuscitation. This issue aims to comprehensively explore the entire spectrum of resuscitation, from experimental research and clinical trials to practical applications in real-world scenarios, such as community response systems.

In pre-clinical settings, the focus is on developing and testing new resuscitation techniques and technologies, such as mechanical resuscitation devices and advances in pharmacological agents, which are evaluated for efficacy and safety before clinical application. Clinical advancements include the integration of these new technologies and methods into hospital and emergency care, emphasizing evidence-based practices and the importance of rapid, effective response techniques. These advancements cover the full range of resuscitation, from early recognition systems to post-resuscitation care and neuroprognostication. Moreover, this Special Issue incorporates advancements in related topics, such as airway management, ventilation, peri-arrest arrhythmias, shock, cardiac monitoring, point-of-care ultrasound, and non-technical skills in emergency settings.

Community-based challenges and innovations, such as public access defibrillation programs and training for non-medical personnel, are highlighted to emphasize the importance of immediate response in increasing survival rates outside of medical facilities. Challenges of note include the scientific hurdles in developing reliable and effective resuscitation methods, the practical issues of implementing these advancements uniformly across different regions and communities, and ethical considerations.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of specific topics of interest:

  • Animal models of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in preclinical research (rats, mice, swine, etc.);
  • Life-support training for non-medical personnel;
  • Early recognition systems for deteriorating patients;
  • Neuroprognostication after resuscitation;
  • Temperature management after resuscitation;
  • Non-technical skills in the emergency setting;
  • Extracorporeal CPR (eCPR);
  • Public access defibrillation;
  • Shock;
  • Anaphylaxis;
  • Artificial intelligence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

All types of manuscripts are welcome for submission, including full-length original articles, reviews (narrative and systematic with/without meta-analysis), and high-quality case reports.

Dr. Georgios Mavrovounis
Dr. Ioannis Pantazopoulos
Dr. Maria Mermiri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • defibrillation
  • mechanical CPR
  • emergency medicine
  • automated external defibrillator
  • e-CPR
  • post-resuscitation period
  • neurological outcomes

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 910 KB  
Article
Causes and Clinical Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Murat Aslan, Rabia Yılmaz, Dicle Birtane and Zafer Çukurova
Medicina 2025, 61(2), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020338 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1946
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (post-CPR) period is a common pathology that has not been adequately investigated but contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the causes of AKI in the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (post-CPR) period is a common pathology that has not been adequately investigated but contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the causes of AKI in the early post-CPR period. Materials and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in 82 adult patients who survived for at least 2 days out of 312 patients admitted to the intensive care unit after cardiac arrest in 2013–2022. AKI developed in 40 (48.7%) of these 82 patients (AKI 1–3 patient, respectively: 14, 13, 13). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed separately to determine the risk factors for AKI and mortality. Results: Each unit increase in BMI increased the risk of developing AKI by 1.272-fold, and the increase was statistically significant [OR (95%CI) = 1.272 (1.089–1486); p = 0.002]. The use of VSP and INO treatment alone increased the risk of AKI by approximately 14-fold, and this increase was statistically significant [OR (95%CI) = 14.225 (1.172–172.669); p = 0.037]. The combined use of VSP and INO treatment increased the risk of AKI by approximately 42-fold, and this increase was statistically significant [OR (95%CI) = 42.089 (2.683–660.201); p = 0.008]. The COVID-19 period alone increased the risk of developing AKI by 2.8-fold compared to the non-COVID-19 period, but the statistical significance of this increase was limited [OR (95%CI) = 2.801 (0.859–9.126); p = 0.088]. The development of AKI was not associated with mortality [OR (95%CI) = 2.194 (0.700–6.872); p = 0.178]. Conclusions: Having VSP and/or INO support and high BMI in the post-CPR period are the most important reasons for the development of AKI. COVID-19 may also increase the risk of developing AKI. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 572 KB  
Article
Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: An Examination of Resuscitation Outcomes
by Yakup Söğütlü and Uğur Altaş
Medicina 2024, 60(11), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60111739 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3449
Abstract
Background and Objectives: We aimed to assess the outcomes of pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) and to identify key factors influencing survival. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study examined the demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, initial rhythm, duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: We aimed to assess the outcomes of pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) and to identify key factors influencing survival. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study examined the demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, initial rhythm, duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), lactate levels, and outcomes of pediatric patients with IHCAs and compared these parameters between survivors and non-survivors. Results: A total of 43 patients were included in this study, including 21 boys (48.8%) and 22 girls (51.2%) with a median age of 36 months (range 1–203). CPR was initiated due to pulselessness in 23 patients (53.5%), respiratory arrest in 13 (30.2%), and bradycardia in 7 (16.3%). The first monitored rhythm in the emergency department was asystole in 29 patients (67.4%) and bradycardia in 14 (32.6%). Despite effective CPR, the mortality rate was 65.1% (n = 28). As a prognostic factor, asystole was found to be more common in non-survivors than in survivors (83.1% vs. 40%, p = 0.005). Additionally, lactate levels (16.6 vs. 10.6, p = 0.04) and CPR duration (45 vs. 15 min, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in non-survivors. Conclusions: IHCAs remain a critical concern, with varying outcomes influenced by factors such as initial rhythm, lactate levels, and CPR duration. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 753 KB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
by Monica Puticiu, Florica Pop, Mihai Alexandru Butoi, Mihai Banicioiu-Covei, Luciana Teodora Rotaru, Teofil Blaga and Diana Cimpoesu
Medicina 2025, 61(12), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61122099 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 468
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have rapidly expanded across the continuum of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with growing evidence of their contribution to improving early recognition, intervention quality, and post-cardiac arrest outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes the current advancements and [...] Read more.
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have rapidly expanded across the continuum of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with growing evidence of their contribution to improving early recognition, intervention quality, and post-cardiac arrest outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes the current advancements and challenges in AI/ML-enhanced resuscitation science. Methods: A targeted literature search was conducted in Web of Science for the period 2018–2025 using the keywords “artificial intelligence” and “cardiopulmonary resuscitation”. The search identified studies addressing AI/ML applications across the resuscitation pathway, which were reviewed and categorized according to the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival—prevention and preparedness, activation of the emergency response system, high-quality CPR including early defibrillation, advanced resuscitation interventions, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Results: The literature demonstrates substantial promise for AI/ML in several domains: (1) early recognition and timely activation of emergency medical services through real-time detection algorithms; (2) optimization of high-quality CPR, including feedback systems, automated assessment of chest compressions, and prediction of defibrillation success; (3) support for advanced resuscitation interventions, such as rhythm classification, prognostication, and intra-arrest decision support; (4) post-cardiac arrest care, including outcome prediction and neuroprognostication; and (5) integrative and cross-domain approaches that link multiple phases of resuscitation into end-to-end AI-supported systems. Emerging work also highlights the role of AI in education and training, with applications in simulation, assessment, and skill reinforcement. Conclusions: AI/ML technologies hold significant potential to augment clinical performance across all links of the Chain of Survival. Their effective implementation requires attention to ethical considerations, data representativeness, and real-world validation. Future research should prioritize multicenter datasets, transparency, bias mitigation, and clinically embedded evaluation frameworks to ensure that AI/ML systems support safe, equitable, and high-impact resuscitation care. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop