Asthma: Loss Of Cardiac Output

Question 1

Asthma: Loss of Cardiac Output - Treatment Priorities

Answer 1

• apnoea +/- gentle lateral chest pressure:
  
  • AD: 60sec
  • PD: 30sec
• exclude TPT (Sb TJS PCE: stiff bag, tracheal shift, inc. JVP, dec SpO2 room air, poor perfusion (inc. HR, dec. BP), dec. conscious state, dec. EtCO2)
• if CO does not return, commence CPR; if CO returns, manage as per unconscious asthma

Question 2

Asthma: Loss of Cardiac Output - Pathophysiology

Answer 2

As the asthmatic bronchoconstriction continues, the patient becomes gas-trapped - O2 can be shallowly inhaled, but the resulting CO2 cannot be effectively exhaled&raquo_space; the resulting hyperinflation of the lungs causes increased intrathoracic pressure, which exerts pressure of the vascular system, thereby decreasing venous return&raquo_space; dec. cardiac outputs