The importance of adapting cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocols for pregnant women: an integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy involves anatomical and physiological changes that affect the maternal response to emergencies such as cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA), requiring adaptations in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Changes such as increased blood volume and compression of the inferior vena cava make conventional techniques less effective, requiring specific protocols such as uterine displacement and perimortem cesarean section. Despite their relevance, professional training in this context is still limited, compromising the effectiveness of interventions. Methodology: The study, a descriptive integrative review, sought to identify evidence-based practices for adapting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) protocols for pregnant women, with the aim of improving maternal-fetal outcomes. It used the PICo strategy to formulate the research question, exploring databases such as LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and Scopus, resulting in 1,609 papers initially, reduced to 09 after rigorous selection criteria. Results and Discussion: The literature review highlights that physiological changes in pregnancy impact the effectiveness of traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, reinforcing the need for adapted protocols, such as manual uterine displacement and perimortem cesarean section. The lack of professional training and adequate resources was identified as a significant barrier, limiting the effective implementation of these practices. Public policies and specific training are essential to improve maternal-fetal outcomes. Conclusion: It can be concluded that adapting cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocols for pregnant women is essential to ensure safety and humanization in emergency care, considering their physiological particularities. Evidence-based guidelines and continuous training of professionals are essential for effective interventions, optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes.