ACLS Flashcards
Cardiac arrest happens when…
unable to generate adequate cardiac output to support oxygen demands of tissue
4 rhythms of cardiac arrest
VF, pVT, PEA, asystole
Which rhythms are shockable?
VF, pVT
Which rhythms are not shockable?
PEA, asystole
Survival in cardiac arrest depends on what?
BLS and/or ACLS
Only proven survival benefit
Good quality chest compressions and defibrillation
Immediate goal of cardiac arrest
ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation)
ACLS algorithm: Step 1
Start CPR if the patient has no pulse; give 100% O2 via a mask and hook them up to a monitor and/or defibrillator
ACLS algorithm: Step 2
After 2 minutes of CPR, determine if the rhythm is shockable
ACLS algorithm: Step 3a if the patient is in VF or pVT arrest
Shock for the first time, then do CPR for another 2 minutes
Get IV/IO access if not already done
ACLS algorithm: Step 4a if the patient is in VF or pVT arrest
Assess rhythm after 2 minutes of CPR; if it’s shockable, shock for the second time, then administer epinephrine q2-5 minutes and consider advanced airway, capnography
ACLS algorithm: Step 5a if the patient is in VF or pVT arrest
Assess rhythm again; if it’s shockable, shock for the third time, then you can administer lidocaine or amiodarone and treat underlying causes
If at any point the patient goes into PEA/asystole, don’t shock, give epinephrine and continue CPR
ACLS algorithm: Step 3b if the patient is in PEA or asystole
DO NOT SHOCK, administer epinephrine as soon as feasible (q3-5 mins) and get IV/IO access
ACLS algorithm: Step 4b if the patient is in PEA or asystole
After 2 minutes of CPR, determine if the rhythm is shockable
No: CPR x2 minutes, treat reversible causes
Yes: shock, administer epinephrine q3-5 minutes or amiodarone or lidocaine
Epinephrine MoA
Vasoactive agent: enhances organ perfusion by increasing arterial and aortic diastolic pressures resulting in increases in coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures
Epinephrine indications for ACLS
All 4 rhythms: VF, pVT, asystole, PEA
Epinephrine dosing
1mg/kg IV/IO
Antiarrhythmics used in ACLS
Amiodarone, lidocaine, magnesium
Antiarrhythmics MoA
Potentially normalizes abnormally depolarizing and conduction myocardial cells
Amiodarone indications
VF, pulseless VT, stable VT with pulse
Amiodarone: caution in…
Bradycardia and hypotension
Amiodarone has the potential to cause what?
QTc prolongation
Lidocaine indication
Same as amiodarone: VF, pVT, stable VT with pulse
When is lidocaine used?
Alternate to amiodarone, so use if it’s not available or TdP due to minimal risk of QT prolongation
Avoid lidocaine in…
History of QT prolongation and TdP
Magnesium indications
VF/pulseless VT, associated with TdP
Magnesium dosing
Not established, but usually a 2g IV bolus
When to use magnesium
TdP; don’t use in VF/pVT with a normal QT interval
What is possible with magnesium administration?
Hypotension after administration if the patient gets their pulse back
Reversible causes: the Hs
Hypovolemia
Hypoxia
Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
Hyperkalemia
Hypothermia
Hypoglycemia
Reversible causes: hypovolemia treatment
IV crystalloids
Reversible causes: hypoxia treatment
100% O2 by mask
Reversible causes: hydrogen ion treatment
Treat with sodium bicarb if the pH is <7.1-7.2
Reversible causes: hyperkalemia treatment
- Calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
- Sodium bicarb, 10 units of regular insulin, dextrose
- Excretion: diuresis, kayexalate, dialysis
Reversible causes: hypothermia treatment
Warm patient up
Reversible causes: hypoglycemia
dextrose
Reversible causes: the Ts
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Toxins
Pulmonary thrombosis
Coronary thrombosis
Reversible causes: tension pneumothorax treatment
Insert a needle into the lung and let the air escape through the needle
Reversible causes: cardiac tamponade treatment
Drain the fluid STAT
Reversible causes: toxins treatment
Opioids: IV naloxone via IV push
Local anesthetics: lipid emulsion
TCAs: sodium bicarb
Reversible causes: pulmonary thrombosis treatment
Alteplase/tenecteplase
Reversible causes: coronary thrombosis treatment
Alteplase/teneceteplase