What is Advanced Cardiac Life Support? Equipment & Risks Explained

Learn what ACLS is, who performs it, how it's done, types of treatments, required equipment, and potential risks involved in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
Check Eligibility
Doctor Loan
Check Eligibility
3 min
13 August 2025

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an essential aspect of emergency medical care aimed at improving the survival rates of patients facing life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, or stroke. This guide offers a detailed overview of ACLS, covering its purpose, procedures, administering personnel, and the critical equipment involved. It explains the benefits, possible risks, and practical considerations, making it a valuable resource for healthcare professionals looking to strengthen their life-saving skills or upgrade their medical infrastructure. Whether you work in emergency care or are exploring financing options for medical equipment, this guide will help you understand and implement ACLS effectively.

What is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)?

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) refers to a set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening medical emergencies. ACLS not only involves CPR but also advanced methods such as the use of defibrillators, airway management, and administering medication. Its goal is to improve the chances of patient survival before reaching a hospital.

ACLS providers must be well-trained, as it demands quick, decisive actions and the correct use of advanced equipment. Proper certification and regular training are essential to mastering ACLS.

Doctor Loan

Why is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) performed?

ACLS is performed to prevent death in patients experiencing:

  • Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops pumping blood effectively.
  • Heart attack: Damage to heart muscles due to restricted blood flow.
  • Stroke: Reduced blood supply to the brain, causing brain cells to die.
  • Severe arrhythmias: Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.
  • Smoke inhalation: Inhaling toxic fumes can lead to respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Each of these conditions requires immediate medical attention and the application of ACLS to improve the patient’s chance of survival.

Who performs Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)?

ACLS is performed by trained healthcare professionals, typically in hospital emergency departments or by paramedics at the scene of a medical emergency. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, such as:

  • Cardiologists
  • Emergency room doctors
  • Anaesthesiologists
  • Paramedics

These professionals are certified in ACLS procedures and are trained to handle high-pressure situations. Thoracic surgeons may also participate in administering ACLS in cases of severe cardiac complications.

How is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) performed?

ACLS is performed using a structured approach that begins with Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures like CPR and progresses to more advanced techniques. Here are some key components:

  • Airway management: Inserting advanced airway devices to maintain oxygen flow.
  • Electrical therapy: Using defibrillators to restore a normal heart rhythm.
  • Pharmacology: Administering drugs to improve blood flow or manage heart rhythm.
  • Monitoring: Continuous observation using ECG and other medical equipment to assess the patient’s condition and response to treatments.

Types of Advanced Cardiac Life Support treatments

ACLS treatments are tailored to the specific emergency that the patient faces. Common types of ACLS treatments include:

  • Electrical cardioversion: Administering controlled shocks to correct abnormal heart rhythms.
  • Medications: Administering drugs to address heart attacks, strokes, or arrhythmias.
  • Chest compressions: Maintaining blood circulation through manual compressions in cases of cardiac arrest.
  • Advanced airway management: Inserting tubes to ensure that the airway remains open and clear.

 

What medical equipment do you need to provide ACLS?

Administering ACLS requires specialised medical equipment. Some essential tools include:

  • Defibrillator: To deliver electrical shocks to restore the heart rhythm.
  • ECG monitors: To continuously observe the heart's electrical activity.
  • Advanced airway devices: To manage the patient’s breathing.
  • Medications: Intravenous drugs like epinephrine, amiodarone, and atropine to stabilise heart function.
  • Suction devices: To clear airways and facilitate proper breathing.

Having access to this equipment is essential in emergencies, and securing financing can help healthcare providers stay prepared.

Potential Risks Associated with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

While ACLS is crucial in saving lives, it does carry some risks:

  • Broken ribs: Intense chest compressions may cause rib fractures.
  • Lung injuries: Improper airway management can lead to lung damage.
  • Medication side effects: Drugs used during ACLS may cause adverse reactions, such as irregular heartbeats or allergic reactions.
  • Brain damage: Prolonged lack of oxygen to the brain can result in irreversible damage, even with successful resuscitation.

It is important to weigh the benefits against these risks when performing ACLS, but often the procedure is essential to give the patient a fighting chance.

Conclusion

ACLS is an essential, life-saving technique that plays a critical role in emergency medicine. Doctors and healthcare providers must be well versed in the procedure and have access to the necessary medical equipment. If you are a doctor or medical professional considering upgrading your facilities or investing in doctor loan or professional loan options, Bajaj Finance can help provide you with the financing solutions you need to enhance your services. Having said that, before applying, it’s important to check your doctor loan eligibility to understand the basic requirements and documentation involved. And, when planning your finances, always review the applicable doctor loan interest rate to make a well-informed borrowing decision that aligns with your repayment capacity.

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps in ACLS?
The steps in ACLS include airway management, delivering chest compressions, using defibrillators for electrical shocks, administering medications, and continuous monitoring of the patient’s heart activity using ECG.

What is the difference between basic life support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support?
Basic Life Support (BLS) involves simpler procedures like CPR, while Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) incorporates more advanced interventions, such as drug administration, airway management, and defibrillation.

What is the primary purpose of ACLS?
The primary purpose of ACLS is to restore the heart's normal rhythm and stabilize the patient in cases of cardiac arrest, stroke, or severe arrhythmias, ensuring they reach the hospital for further treatment.

What is the most important in ACLS?
The most crucial aspect of ACLS is timely intervention. Immediate action, proper airway management, and administering life-saving drugs can make a significant difference in the patient’s survival rate.

Show More Show Less

Bajaj Finserv app for all your financial needs and goals

Trusted by 50 million+ customers in India, Bajaj Finserv App is a one-stop solution for all your financial needs and goals.

You can use the Bajaj Finserv App to:

  • Apply for loans online, such as Instant Personal Loan, Home Loan, Business Loan, Gold Loan, and more.
  • Invest in fixed deposits and mutual funds on the app.
  • Choose from multiple insurance for your health, motor and even pocket insurance, from various insurance providers.
  • Pay and manage your bills and recharges using the BBPS platform. Use Bajaj Pay and Bajaj Wallet for quick and simple money transfers and transactions.
  • Apply for Insta EMI Card and get a pre-qualified limit on the app. Explore over 1 million products on the app that can be purchased from a partner store on Easy EMIs.
  • Shop from over 100+ brand partners that offer a diverse range of products and services.
  • Use specialised tools like EMI calculators, SIP Calculators
  • Check your credit score, download loan statements and even get quick customer support—all on the app.

Download the Bajaj Finserv App today and experience the convenience of managing your finances on one app.

Do more with the Bajaj Finserv App!

UPI, Wallet, Loans, Investments, Cards, Shopping and more

GET THE APP

Disclaimer

1. Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) and Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuer offering financial services viz., loans, deposits, Bajaj Pay Wallet, Bajaj Pay UPI, bill payments and third-party wealth management products. The details mentioned in the respective product/ service document shall prevail in case of any inconsistency with respect to the information referring to BFL products and services on this page.

2. All other information, such as, the images, facts, statistics etc. (“information”) that are in addition to the details mentioned in the BFL’s product/ service document and which are being displayed on this page only depicts the summary of the information sourced from the public domain. The said information is neither owned by BFL nor it is to the exclusive knowledge of BFL. There may be inadvertent inaccuracies or typographical errors or delays in updating the said information. Hence, users are advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting experts, if any. Users shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.

Related videos