Cardiac arrest Flashcards
What is your first step when you find a patient unresponsive and not breathing normally
Call for help
What is the ratio of chest compression and breaths when initiating CPR
30:2
What are the shockable rhythms
Pulseless VT and VF
What is it called when there is no central pulse but irregular QRS
PEA
How long do you wait after shocking or resuming CPR (non shockable) before reassessing the rhythm
2 mins
How many shocks do you give before giving drugs
three
What are your two initial drugs in a shockable rhythm
Adrenaline 10ml of 1:10,000 iv
Amiodarone 300mg iv
How often do you repeat doses of adrenaline and amiodarone
adrenaline every 3-5 mins or every other rhythm check
amiodarone- only give once at the beginning
What drugs are used in non shockable rhythms
Adrenaline 10ml 1:10,000 iv as soon as access is secured, repeat every 3-5 mins or every rhythm check
Name the four components of post-cardiac arrest syndrome
- post arrest brain injury
- post-arrest myocardial dysfunction
- Systemic ischaemia/ reperfusion response
- persistent precipitant pathology
How can you avoid post arrest brain injury
ventilate to maintain sats 94-98 but take care not to hyperventilate as this causes oxidatitive stress, anyone with reduced cerebral function should be sedated, ventilated and admitted to ITU
What should blood pressure be maintained at
60-160 because the brain looses its autoregulation
How can hyperthermia be managed
Cooling to 36 degrees (neuroprotective) with cooling pads, or intravascular heat exchangers. Need sedation to stop shivering
cool for >24 hours
What drug is given in SVT
iv adenosine
What drug is used in VT
amiodarone
