Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is a standardized, evidence-based training program designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to manage life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. The program builds upon Basic Life Support (BLS) by introducing a systematic approach to interventions that stabilize patients experiencing cardiac arrest, stroke, or acute coronary syndromes. This specialized training is guided by the scientific guidelines and protocols established by the American Heart Association (AHA), ensuring a consistent standard of care across various clinical settings.
Target Audience and Course Objectives
The ACLS course is intended for healthcare professionals who direct or actively participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies. This audience includes physicians, registered nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and specialized critical care personnel working in emergency departments, intensive care units, and cardiac catheterization labs. Many healthcare systems mandate ACLS certification as a condition of employment for staff in these acute care areas, recognizing they will often be the first responders in a crisis.
The core objectives center on the early recognition and intervention of pre-arrest conditions to prevent full cardiac arrest. Participants learn a systematic approach, often called the BLS and ACLS Secondary Surveys, to quickly evaluate and manage patients. The training refines high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills, focusing on correct compression depth and rate while minimizing interruptions. Beyond individual skills, the course emphasizes high-performance team dynamics, teaching concepts like closed-loop communication and clear role assignments for effective resuscitation.
Essential Clinical Components
The training is structured around specific algorithms that serve as cognitive aids for managing complex emergencies in a standardized way. The primary focus is the Cardiac Arrest Algorithm, which guides the team through the management of pulseless rhythms like ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole. Other algorithms treat symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart rate) and tachycardia (fast heart rate) that may lead to cardiac arrest.
Clinical skills taught include the application of electrical therapy, encompassing defibrillation to reset chaotic rhythms and synchronized cardioversion to treat unstable tachycardias. Trainees also practice temporary transcutaneous pacing for patients with symptomatic bradycardia unresponsive to medications. The course addresses advanced airway management techniques, such as bag-mask ventilation and the placement of supraglottic airways, though the scope of training varies based on the provider’s professional practice.
The course covers emergency pharmacology used during resuscitation attempts. Specific medications are integrated into the algorithms, such as epinephrine, administered every three to five minutes during cardiac arrest to improve blood flow to the heart and brain. Antiarrhythmic agents like amiodarone treat refractory ventricular fibrillation, while adenosine is used for certain types of stable, fast heart rhythms. The course also includes treating acute coronary syndromes (heart attack) and stroke, focusing on early recognition, diagnostic testing, and time-sensitive initial management.
Certification Process and Maintenance
Obtaining ACLS certification requires candidates to possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as a prerequisite. This ensures participants have foundational skills in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use before advancing to the more complex ACLS material. Training is delivered through various formats, including traditional classroom courses and blended learning options, such as the AHA’s HeartCode program, which combines online modules with a mandatory hands-on skills session.
Certification is granted only after successful completion of two testing components. Candidates must pass a written multiple-choice examination covering the algorithms, pharmacology, and ECG rhythm interpretation. The second component is a practical skills evaluation, often called the “mega-code,” where the provider leads or participates in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario, demonstrating effective team dynamics and adherence to the appropriate ACLS algorithm.
The ACLS certification remains valid for two years from the date of completion. To maintain certification, healthcare professionals must complete a recertification or renewal course before the expiration date. These renewal courses are shorter than the initial provider course, focusing on a review of core concepts and updates to the resuscitation guidelines.