What is the primary purpose of performing active compression-decompression CPR?

The primary purpose of performing active compression-decompression CPR is to increase blood flow return to the heart. During this technique, the rescuer compresses the chest actively and then uses a decompression phase to allow the chest to fully expand. This expanded phase creates a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity, which helps draw blood back into the heart. Improved venous return enhances cardiac output during each subsequent compression, thereby providing better perfusion to vital organs. Effective blood flow is crucial during cardiac arrest, as it ensures that oxygen-rich blood reaches the brain and other critical organs, ultimately improving survival outcomes.

The other options do not address the primary goal of CPR in the context of cardiac arrest. For instance, while airway management is important in emergency care, it is not the primary focus of active compression-decompression CPR. Similarly, stabilizing spinal injuries and administering medications are not central to the technique; these involve different aspects of emergency medical care and do not relate directly to the blood flow dynamics that active compression-decompression CPR aims to improve.