Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons routinely provide moderate sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia in outpatient and hospital settings where rapid physiologic deterioration may require immediate airway rescue and advanced life support. This article presents an OMFS-oriented approach to adult ACLS rhythm management, emphasizing high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation for shockable arrest, and team-based execution that minimizes interruptions while reversible causes are addressed. Shockable rhythms (ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia), nonshockable rhythms (pulseless electrical activity/asystole), and periprocedural tachycardia and bradycardia are reviewed with practical guidance on defibrillation, medications, airway integration, cardioversion, and pacing.