Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC)

• Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is the return of a palpable pulse and substantial breathing effort after cardiac arrest.

• Patients with ROSC may not regain consciousness

• Signs of ROSC include
  • Breathing (or recognizable breathing effort, not occasional gasps)
  • Coughing
  • Movement (may not be purposeful)
  • Palpable pulse
  • Measurable blood pressure
  • Sudden increase (>10 mmHg) in end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) on waveform capnography