Canine Cardiopulmonary Arrest – NAVLE Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is the sudden cessation of effective cardiac and respiratory function, resulting in loss of consciousness and the absence of a palpable pulse. This life-threatening emergency requires immediate intervention through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to restore circulation and oxygenation. Understanding the pathophysiology, recognition, and evidence-based management of CPA is essential for the NAVLE, as it represents one of the most critical emergency scenarios encountered in veterinary practice.

Despite advances in veterinary medicine, survival to discharge after CPA remains low, with only 5 to 7 percent of dogs surviving to hospital discharge. However, dogs experiencing CPA during anesthesia have significantly better outcomes, with up to 17 times higher survival rates when CPR is initiated promptly. The 2024 RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation) guidelines provide the current evidence-based framework for CPR in dogs and cats.

Please look at RECOVER CPR Algorithm for Dogs and Cats