We Are Teaching the New 2025 AHA ACLS Guidelines

When the American Heart Association (AHA) released the 2025 CPR & Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Guidelines this fall, it marked the beginning of a new era in resuscitation science. These updates—issued roughly every five years—reflect the latest evidence on how to improve survival from cardiac arrest and streamline clinical decision-making. For healthcare providers who respond to cardiac emergencies, the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) updates are particularly significant.

As part of our December blog series, ACLS Academy is breaking down the 2025 changes course by course, starting with ACLS. In this deep dive, we’ll review what’s new, why these updates matter, how the guidelines were formed, and how ACLS Academy has already fully integrated the new standards into every training session.

To explore the official AHA Guidelines, Abstracts, and all course-relevant materials, you can access the complete resource library here on the AHA’s Science News site.

Why the AHA Updated the ACLS Guidelines

The AHA updates its guidelines to reflect the latest and strongest evidence in cardiovascular science. These reviews include:

• Global scientific consensus from resuscitation councils

• Data from the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation Registry

• Randomized controlled trials and large observational studies

• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

• Human factors research

• Post-resuscitation survival and neurologic outcome data

The goal is simple: better survival, better neurological outcomes, and clearer clinical decision pathways.

The 2025 ACLS updates continue the AHA’s ongoing effort to make resuscitation easier to perform, easier to teach, and more consistent across healthcare systems.

Major Changes in the 2025 ACLS Guidelines

The 2025 ACLS updates include refinements that clarify algorithms, streamline best practices, and sharpen the focus on high-quality CPR and team performance. Below is a high-level breakdown of the most notable changes practitioners will see.

1. Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm Enhancements

Key updates include:

• Greater emphasis on minimizing interruptions in chest compressions

• More explicit prioritization of early defibrillation when a shockable rhythm is present

• Adjusted sequencing for integrating medications such as epinephrine

• Clearer guidance on when to escalate to advanced interventions

These refinements are designed to improve both the flow and accuracy of real-world cardiac arrest care.

2. Updated Airway and Ventilation Recommendations

New science has shaped:

• When to use an advanced airway

• Optimal ventilation strategies for different patient presentations

• Ventilation rates with vs. without an advanced airway

• Simplified decision-making to reduce hesitation during high-stress situations

These updates help ACLS teams avoid hyperventilation and maintain physiologically appropriate oxygenation.

3. Bradycardia and Tachycardia Algorithm Revisions

The 2025 guidelines clarify:

• When to escalate pharmacologic treatment

• When pacing should be initiated for bradycardia

• Updated timing for synchronized cardioversion in tachyarrhythmias

• Clinical thresholds that help distinguish stable vs. unstable rhythms

These updates streamline care and reduce ambiguity during rapid evaluation. 

4. Human Factors & Team Dynamics Take Center Stage

A standout feature of the 2025 Guidelines is their emphasis on human performance during resuscitation. New improvements include:

• Stronger focus on closed-loop communication

• Enhanced guidance for the team leader role

• Expanded content on crew resource management

• Clearer division of roles during ACLS megacodes

These refinements help teams deliver smoother, safer, and more efficient care during cardiac events.

5. Updates to Post–Cardiac Arrest Care

The AHA has refined:

• Temperature management considerations

• Hemodynamic stabilization goals

• Neurologic monitoring and recovery pathways

• ICU-based post-cardiac arrest care as it applies to ACLS goals

These changes reflect years of survival data emphasizing coordinated, post-arrest care.

6. Pharmacology Clarifications

The new guidelines revise:

• Medication timing

• Evidence levels supporting epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, and vasopressin

• Situational guidance for antiarrhythmic use

• Simplified pharmacology pathways for quicker decision-making

A Must-Have Resource: The ACLS Science Summary Table

Practitioners should be aware that the AHA has published a concise ACLS Science Summary Table within the guideline materials. This is the quickest, clearest reference guide for:

• Changes from the previous edition

• Updated evidence levels

• Revised treatment steps

• Clinical rationale behind each shift

ACLS Academy strongly encourages students and practicing clinicians to keep this summary table accessible—it is the most practical way to stay aligned with the 2025 science. You can find it within the ACLS section of the AHA’s official guidelines here.

ACLS Academy Has Updated Its ACLS Courses

ACLS Academy is already teaching exclusively under the 2025 ACLS Guidelines. This includes:

• Fully updated instructor certifications

• Revised videos, manuals, and algorithm charts

• New megacode scenarios aligned with the 2025 standards

• Updated manikin programming and CPR quality feedback tools

• A refreshed testing and skills evaluation process

Students who enroll now train with the final guidelines—not transitional or interim updates.

ACLS Academy’s updated ACLS course includes:

• Realistic, scenario-based megacodes reflecting the 2025 algorithms

• Hands-on practice integrating airway, rhythm management, and team roles

• Updated testing materials based on the final AHA content

• Clear guidance on team leadership and human factors

• The newest pharmacology recommendations and decision trees

• Reinforcement of high-quality CPR throughout every scenario

Classes are available in Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center, with blended online + in-person formats for convenience.

Be Ready. Be Current. Be Confident.

The 2025 AHA ACLS Guidelines represent the newest and most refined approach to treating cardiac emergencies—and ACLS Academy is proud to be among the first to teach them fully and accurately in Massachusetts.

By training with instructors already certified in the updated science and using the AHA’s newest materials, you’ll gain the confidence, clarity, and competence needed to provide high-quality care in the most critical moments.

If you're ready to update your ACLS certification or learn the newest evidence-based standards, ACLS Academy is ready for you.

Register today and step into the future of lifesaving care with the 2025 ACLS Guidelines.