Final answer:
The procedure used during a cardiac arrest to restore blood circulation and respiration is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It involves chest compressions of at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 per minute until medical intervention or confirmation of death. Controlled hypothermia and coronary bypass surgery may also be considered in some situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical procedure used when restoring blood circulation and breathing to a person in cardiac arrest is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This emergency technique involves applying pressure to the sternum, located between the vertebrae and sternum within the thorax, to manually compress the heart and push blood into the pulmonary and systemic circuits, which is essential for maintaining brain function. Current guidelines recommend chest compressions that are at least 5 cm deep and done at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, a rhythm corresponding to the beat of the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. CPR is typically continued until the patient shows signs of spontaneous heart activity or is declared deceased by a healthcare professional.
In some cases, especially within an emergency department, controlled hypothermia may be used to reduce cardiac damage, by inducing a coma and lowering the patient's body temperature to about 91 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours to decrease metabolic rate and lessen the workload on the heart. Moreover, coronary bypass surgery could be considered for certain patients who do not respond to medication and lifestyle changes for managing heart issues, although it is not universally recommended for increasing longevity.