Cardiac Arrest Flashcards

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1
Q

Define cardiac arrest:

A

the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation

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2
Q

Give the 8 reversible causes of cardiac arrest:

A

1) hypoxia
2) hypokalaemia/hyperkalaemia
3) hypothermia
4) hypovolaemia
5) tension pneumothorax
6) tamponade
7) thrombosis
8) toxins

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3
Q

Give 4 causes of hypoxia:

A

1) airway obstruction
2) asthma
3) drowning
4) hanging

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4
Q

Give 3 broad causes of hypovolaemia:

A

1) external bleeding (traumatic injuries)
2) internal bleeding (ruptured AAA, GI bleeding)
3) other (diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration)

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5
Q

What scan can be used to rapidly identify any internal bleeding during cardiac arrest?

A

sonography

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6
Q

Give 3 possible management methods for hypovolaemia-associated cardiac arrest:

A

1) blood transfusion
2) fluid resuscitation
3) oxygen therapy

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7
Q

What is hypothermia?

A

hypothermia?
a core temperature below 35 degrees C

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8
Q

A core temperature below what threshold is considered severe hypothermia?

A

30 degrees C

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9
Q

What electrolyte imbalance is associated with sudden rewarming?

A

hyperkalaemia

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10
Q

Why should a coagulation profile be requested for someone presenting with hypothermia?

A

DIC is associated with hypothermia

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11
Q

Describe the management for someone with hypothermia-associated cardiac arrest:

A

1) normal chest compressions and ventilation
2) if ventricular fibrillation persists after 3 shocks, delay further shocks until the core temperature is above 30 degrees C
3) low metabolism means drugs should be withheld until core temperature is above 30 degrees C

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12
Q

Give 5 causes of hyperkalaemia:

A

1) renal impairment
2) ACE inhibitors
3) diabetic ketoacidosis
4) trauma
5) burns

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13
Q

Give the management for hyperkalaemia in cardiac arrest:

A

1) 10ml calcium chloride IV rapid bolus injection
2) 50mmol sodium bicarbonate IV rapid bolus injection

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14
Q

How is tension pneumothorax treated in cardiac arrest?

A

needle decompression using a large bore cannula

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15
Q

Where is the large bore cannula inserted when decompressing tension pneumothorax?

A

2nd Intercostal Space

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16
Q

Give 3 causes of cardiac tamponade:

A

1) trauma
2) ventricular wall rupture following an MI
3) infection of the pericardium

17
Q

Give 2 management strategies for cardiac tamponade in cardiac arrest:

A

1) pericardiocentesis (needle and catheter to drain fluid)
2) resuscitative thoracotomy (opening the chest wall to remove fluid)

18
Q

Give 4 drugs that when overdosed can cause cardiac arrest:

A

1) tetracyclic antidepressants
2) opioids
3) beta blockers
4) cocaine

19
Q

How is PE-associated cardiac arrest treated?

A

thrombolysis/ surgical embolectomy

20
Q

How can a PE cause cardiac arrest?

A

it causes right ventricular strain, overload and cardiogenic shock

21
Q

Describe the management of MI-associated cardiac arrest:

A

1) if there is a spontaneous return of circulation and an ECG can identify an MI, begin primary percutaneous coronary intervention
2) if no ECG can be obtained, perform angiography during resuscitation