RESUMO
Recent comments and amendments to routine algorithm of P. Safar's cardiopulmonary resuscitation, known as the ABCD principle, are critically analyzed. The primary mechanisms of thanatogenesis in sudden death in the majority of cases are not respiratory problems (requiring ABCD algorithm), but cardiac rhythm disorders. Based on their studies and practical and training experience, the authors suggest a new algorithm of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: UNIVERSAL, with the following steps: precordial stroke, indirect massage of the heart, forced ventilation of the lungs, venipuncture, electrocardiography, defibrillation by electric pulse therapy, electrocardiostimulation, and injections of adrenalin, atropine, and lidocaine. Introduction of this algorithm decreased hospital mortality of acute coronary patients, increased the rate of reanimation of suddenly dead patients, and reduced the incidence of iatrogenic complications of resuscitation.