Part 2: Evidence Evaluation and Guidelines Development: 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care

Abstract

The 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care is based on the extensive evidence evaluation performed in conjunction with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation, Resuscitation Education Science, Special Circumstances, Post–Cardiac Arrest Care, Ethics, and Systems of Care Writing Groups drafted, reviewed, and approved recommendations, assigning to each recommendation a Class of Recommendation (ie, strength) and Level of Evidence (ie, quality). The 2025 Guidelines are organized in knowledge chunks that are grouped into discrete modules of information on specific topics or management issues. Each chapter of the 2025 Guidelines underwent blinded peer review by subject matter experts and was also reviewed and approved for publication by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee and the American Heart Association Executive Committee. Chapters with pediatric content (Neonatal Resuscitation, Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support) were also co-led by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and thereby the content was reviewed and approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics Board of Directors. The American Heart Association has rigorous conflict of interest policies and procedures to minimize the risk of bias or improper influence during development of the guidelines. Anyone involved in any part of the guideline development process disclosed all commercial relationships and other potential conflicts of interest.