ACLS
Medical abbreviation · Emergency Medicine
| Stands for | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, an emergency medicine abbreviation.
American Heart Association course and set of algorithms for managing cardiac arrest, dangerous arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes and stroke in adults. It covers team roles, defibrillation, airway management and resuscitation drugs.
Example: Code team followed ACLS VF algorithm: shock, CPR, epinephrine, amiodarone.
Usage notes
Originally called Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Certification is renewed every two years and is required for most ICU, ED and paramedic roles. Algorithms are updated after international evidence reviews coordinated by ILCOR.
Related abbreviations
More emergency medicine abbreviations
- ABCDE – Airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure
- ABCs – Airway, breathing, circulation
- ACEP – American College of Emergency Physicians
- AD – Advance directive
- ALS – Advanced life support
- AMA – Against medical advice
- AMLS – Advanced Medical Life Support
- AND – Allow natural death
- ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support
- BIBA – Brought in by ambulance
- BIBEMS – Brought in by emergency medical services
- BLS – Basic life support
See all 97 emergency medicine abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.