Cardiac Arrest Flashcards
Define cardiac arrest:
the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation
Give the 8 reversible causes of cardiac arrest:
1) hypoxia
2) hypokalaemia/hyperkalaemia
3) hypothermia
4) hypovolaemia
5) tension pneumothorax
6) tamponade
7) thrombosis
8) toxins
Give 4 causes of hypoxia:
1) airway obstruction
2) asthma
3) drowning
4) hanging
Give 3 broad causes of hypovolaemia:
1) external bleeding (traumatic injuries)
2) internal bleeding (ruptured AAA, GI bleeding)
3) other (diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration)
What scan can be used to rapidly identify any internal bleeding during cardiac arrest?
sonography
Give 3 possible management methods for hypovolaemia-associated cardiac arrest:
1) blood transfusion
2) fluid resuscitation
3) oxygen therapy
What is hypothermia?
hypothermia?
a core temperature below 35 degrees C
A core temperature below what threshold is considered severe hypothermia?
30 degrees C
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with sudden rewarming?
hyperkalaemia
Why should a coagulation profile be requested for someone presenting with hypothermia?
DIC is associated with hypothermia
Describe the management for someone with hypothermia-associated cardiac arrest:
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
Give 5 causes of hyperkalaemia:
1) renal impairment
2) ACE inhibitors
3) diabetic ketoacidosis
4) trauma
5) burns
Give the management for hyperkalaemia in cardiac arrest:
1) 10ml calcium chloride IV rapid bolus injection
2) 50mmol sodium bicarbonate IV rapid bolus injection
How is tension pneumothorax treated in cardiac arrest?
needle decompression using a large bore cannula
Where is the large bore cannula inserted when decompressing tension pneumothorax?
2nd Intercostal Space