[News in hemodynamic monitoring, resuscitation and intensive care of patients after cardiac surgery: "Guidelines for resuscitation in cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery" of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery].

In order to simplify and to standardize procedures during cardiac arrest in patients after cardiac surgery and for professional medical staff education, working group of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery issued in 2009 "Guideline for resuscitation in cardiac arest after cardiac surgery". There are several differences between these guidelines and guidelines for general population: in ventricular fibrillation, three sequential attempts at defibrillation should precede external cardiac massage; in asystole or extreme bradycardia, pacing should precede external cardiac massage. Where the above measures fail, and in pulseless electrical activity, early resternotomy is advocated. Adrenaline should not be routinely given. Also protocols for excluding reversible airway and breathing complications and for safe emergency resternotomy are given. These guidelines in very simple and professional way define rules for resuscitation of patients after cardiac surgery. It is a useful manual which will certainly find its place in daily work of professional medical staff involved in healthcare of these patients.