Back to Basics - Critical Care Transport Review - Flash Cards
Clinical Signs of
Kehr’s Sign
Referred left shoulder pain
Possible splenic injury or ectopic pregnacy
Clinical Signs of
Kernig’s Sign
Back, leg pain on knee extension from 90 degrees
Possible bacterial meningitis.
Clinical Signs of
Brudzinski’s Sign
Flexion of knees on neck flexion
Possible bacterial meningitis (or subarachnoid bleed)
“Chin to chest will cause knees to flex.”
Hamman’s Sign
Crunching sound heard with auscultation over the anterior chest synchronized with heartbeat -
TRACHEOBRONCHIAL INJURY
X-Ray Findings
Steeple Sign
Possible Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)
A/P neck view
X-Ray Findings
Thumbprint Sign
Possible epiglottitis
lateral neck view
when pCO2 is high, pH is
low (acidosis)
When pCO2 islow, pH is
high (alkalosis)
When pH is low, HCO3 is
low (acidosis)
When pH is high, HCO3 is
high (alkalosis)
Normal range:
pCO2
35-45 (respiratory)
Normal Range:
pH
7.35-7.45 (metabolic)
Normal Range:
HCO3
22-26 (metabolic)
Rx for AAA
Nipride and beta-blockers
First adjustment on ventilator
VT first, not rate
Most common joint dislocation
Hip
Most common spontaneous dislocation recurrance
Anterior Shoulder
Significance
Brain natriuretic peptide
Heart failure marker. BNP released by an overdistension of the heart
Normal Range
Brain natriuretic peptide
Below 100 = Normal
Brain natriuretic peptide
Critical Range
Above 500-700 = Heart failure
Rotor-wing pilot required hours
2000 hours
1000 PIC
100 hours at night
“Bottle-to-throttle” Time
At least 8 hours
CVP
Measures:
preload (right atrial pressure)
CVP
Normal parameter:
2-6 mmHg
CVP
Which port to use:
Catheter placement outside line markers:
RA/CVP = 25-30 cm
RV = 35-45 cm
PA = 50-55 cm
Spinal Cord Injury S/Sx
Anterior cord:
complete motor, pain and temperature loss below the lesion

Spinal Cord Injury S/Sx
Brown-Séquard
ipsilateral loss of motor, position and vibration sence; contralateral loss of pain and temperature perception

Spinal Cord Injury S/Sx
Central cord syndrome
greater motor weakness in UE than in LE with varying degrees of sensory loss

Spinal Cord Injury S/Sx
Autonomic dysreflexia
urinary retention, massive increase in sympathetic tone which can cause HTN, treated by insertion of foley

Normal urinary output:
Adult: 30-50 mL/hr
Pedi: 1-2 mL/kg/hr
*If suspected myoglobinuria: (lightning strike, electrical injury, rabdo) 100 mL/hr
Normal Blood Volume:
Adult: 70 mL/kg
Pedi: 80 mL/kg
Normal temperature:
- 0°C
- 6°F
Mild hypothermia:
32-36°C (~90-95F, decreasing HR)
Moderate hypothermia:
29-32° (~84-89F, loss of shivering, Altered LoC)
Severe hypothermia:
20-28°C (<83F, coma, VF common)
Two major causes of heat loss?
Radiation/Evaporation
Thermoregulation ceases @ what temperature?
28°C (83F)
Rules of flight following
Sterile cockpit during critical phase of flight
15 minutes maximum between communication center, during flight
45 minutes maximum while on the ground
Rotor-wing shut-off sequence
Remember TFB
Throttle
Fuel
Battery
Take survival bag and meet at 12 o’clock position
Survival sequence
Shelter
Fire
Water
Food
Order of how to assess the abdomen
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion
Contraindications for thrombolytics
- History of hemorrhagic stroke
- CVA in last 12 months
- SBP over 180
- Pregnancy
- 1 month post partum
FARs (Federal Aviation Regulations):
**Local flying area determined by: **
Cell phones prohibited:
Part 91: no passengers
Part 135: passengers (14 hours max for pilots)
Certificate holder
While Airborne
Definition:
PaO2, SaO2
PaO2: partial presure of oxygen (plasma)
SaO2: saturation of arterial oxygen (hemoglobin)
Bariobariatrauma
Nitrogen release in obese patients at altitude (administer high flow oxygen >15 minutes before to lift off to wash out nitrogen)
Normal Pedi SBP, DBP?
When does it drop?
SBP: 90 + (2x age)
DBP: 2/3 the SBP
BP last to go…
Three killers of ventillator patients during flight?
Pericardial tamponade
Tension pneumothorax
Hypovolemia
Death from crush injury due to?
Renal failure
Complications of crush injury?
DIC
compartment syndrome
renal failure
hyperkalemia
CAMTS
Medical director not required to:
Live in the same state
CAMTS
Intubation requirement:
Quarterly
CAMTS
Live intubation required during training:
Five
CAMTS
Specialty team response time:
45 minutes
CAMTS
Pilot area orientation day/night:
5 hours day / 2 hours night
CAMTS
Helipad required to have:
2 paths, security
CAMTS
Fixed wing twin engine time:
500 hours
CAMTS
(Air) Ambulance fuel requirments:
175 miles
CAMTS
ELT set off at:
4 g’s
CAMTS
Uniform fit:
1/4 in space between body and uniform
Applied gas laws:
The bends, decompression soda can, CO2 in blood
Henry’s Law
Applied Gas Laws
Tissue swelling
Hypoxic
Hypoxia
O2 available at altitude
Dalton’s Law
Applied gas laws:
Celular gas exchange
Diffusion
Graham’s law
Applied gas laws
Oxygen tank pressure in heat or cold
Guy- Lussac’s law
Applied gas laws
BP cuff, ETT cuff, MAST
Boyle’s Law
IABP purges with ascent or descent
Trauma & Kinematics
High Velocity:
>2000 FPS
Trauma & Kinematics
Medium Velocity
1000-2000 FPS
Trauma & Kinematics
Low Velocity
<1000 FPS
Tumbling
Rotation on 360 degree axis
Yaw
deviation up to 90 degrees from straight path
Normal Values:
CVP/RAP
CVP: 2-6
*When assessing CVP or PA, pressures on a mechanically ventillated patient, assess pressures at the end of exhalation
Normal Values:
Cardiac Output
4-8 L/min
(CO: SV x HR)
Normal Values:
Cardiac Index
2.5-4.2
(CI = CO / BSA)
Normal Values:
Pulmonary Artery Systolic/Diasolic
PAS = 15-25
PVD = 8-15
*When assessing CVP or PA, pressures on a mechanically ventillated patient, assess pressures at the end of exhalation
Normal Values:
Wedge (PAWP/PCWP)
PAWP/wedge: 8-12
Normal Values:
SVR
800-1200
Chest/ABD trauma
Chest tube location?
Chest tube: Fourth IC space, anterior-axillary
Chest/ABD trauma
Needle thoracostomy?
Second ICS midclavicular or the fifth ICS mid-axillary line
Chest/ABD trauma
Suspect with fracture of first 3 ribs?
Aortic disruption
Chest/ABD trauma
Scaphoid abdomen indicates
Diaphragmatic rupture
High-risk OB - S/Sx
Abruptio placenta
Placenta previa
Abruptio: dark red, painful
Previa: bright red, painless
High-risk OB
Terbutaline dose:
0.25mg SQ
High-risk OB
Postpartum hemorrhage (abnormal volume of blood loss)
>500 mL
High-risk OB
Uterine rupture
Uterine Rupture: Fetal parts can be palpated over abdomen
Effects of altitude worsen with
Cold upper latitudes
Gay-Lussac’s law
(two components)
Example
Temperature increases & pressure increases
Temperature decreases & pressure decreases
Example:
Oxygen tank pressure at 2200 in the afternoon, pressure drops to 1800 in evening (temp declined in eveining, pressure decreased)
Universal Law
Combines **Boyle’s & Charles’ **laws
Graham’s Law
Definition
Effects/Examples
Rate gas moves from high to low concentration based on size and solubility
gas through liquid, cellular gas exchange
Henry’s Law
Gas in liquid proportional to gas above liquid
Example:
“The Bends,” CO2 in blood, decompression
Volume of gas in GI expands thrice at what altitude?
25,000 feet
What law affects GI the most?
Boyle’s law
Cardiogenic shock
CVP Cardiac output Cardiac index PAS/PAD PAWP SVR HR
CVP: High
Cardiac output: Low
Cardiac index: Low
PAS/PAD: High
PAWP: High
SVR: High
HR: initially fast, then slows down
Boyle’s law
Two components
Effects
Increased Volume = decreased pressure
Examples
Cuffs, MAST, GI, ETT, IABP
Charles’ Law
Two Components
Effects
Temperature and Volume Proportional
(Increased temperature = increased volume)
Up 100 meters = down 1 degree C
Environmental
1. Passive rewarming?
2. Active rewarming?
3. Warm & Dead?
4. Heat Stroke?
- mild hypothermia only. Up 1˚C/hr with blankets, heater
- apply heat to body
- 32˚C
- over 42˚C
Clinical Signs
Grey Turner’s sign
Flank brusing (retroperitoneal bleeding)
Clinical Signs
Coopernail’s sign
Scrotem/labia (abdominal/pelvic bleeding)
Clinical Signs
Halstead’s sign
Marbled abdomen (bleeding)
Clinical Sign’s
Cullen’s sign
Umbilical discoloration (pancreatitis)
Clinical Sign’s
Murphy’s sign
RUQ pain with inspiration (Gall bladder)
Clinical Sign’s
Levine’s sign
Fist to chest “Clutching” (Cardiac)
Types of hypoxia
Hypoxic hypoxia
deficency in alveolar oxygen exchange
altitude hypoxia
decreased alveolar oxygen
tension pneumo
Types of hypoxia
Hypemic hypoxia
reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
carboxyhemoglobin (CO poisoning)
methemoblobin (excessive use of benzocaine, nitrates)
Types of hypoxia
Histotoxic hypoxia
cellular inability to use molecular oxygen
cyanide poisoning
Types of hypoxia
Stagnant hypoxia
occurs when conditions exist that result in the reduced total cardiac output
Decreased cardiac output
Poor circulation
(e.g. g-forces, CHF)
High-risk OB
Normal Fetal HR
120-160
High-risk OB
Factors in fetal well-being?
Most important factor?
FHR
Fetal movement
Variability
High-risk OB
TX for fetal distress
LOCK:
** L**eft lateral recumbent
**O<sub>2</sub>**
Correct contributing factors
**K**eep reassessing
CHF considerations
Preload
Many CHF patients are relatively hypovolemic.
Careful with diuretics and medications that can decrease preload.
CHF considerations
Lab Test
Lab Tests
BNP = lab test nonspecific > 500
CHF considerations
Medications
No beta-blockers, except for carvidolol (coreg)
Natracor (neseritide) = synthetic version of BNP
Primary cause of death with ventilator dependent patients
Ventilator acquired pneumonia
Digoxin
Class
Causes what electrolyte imbalance
ECG changes
Cardiac glycoside
Hypokalemia
ECG - “dig dip” ST depression
ARDS
CXR
CXR reveals widespread pulmonary infiltrates;
glass-like apperance
ARDS
TX
PEEP
PEEP
Effects of PEEP
Effects of PEEP:
Increased pulmonary vascular resistance can cause hypotension over 15 cm H2O
PEEP
Normal physiologic PEEP
**Normal PEEP: **3-5 cm H2O
Treat HTN when SBP?
MAP?
SBP > 220
MAP > 130
Dehydration raises serum?
Sodium
Normal sodium: 135-145
Objective data?
things you can observe
ABC’s
Neurological assessment
Differential Diagnosis for altered mental status: AEIOUTIPS
Bowel sounds in chest cavity?
Diaphragmatic rupture
Most common in the left chest
Crunching sounds heard over chest with auscultation, may be syncronized with heartbeat?
Associated with tracheobronchial injury aka Hamman’s sign
Preferred method for moving spinal injured patients?
Scoop stretcher is prefered to log rolling paitent
Differential diagnosis
Pulmonary contusion
Low sats despite O2
Rales
Differential diagnosis
Ruptured diaphram
Chest/abdomen pain radiated to left shoulder
Differential diagnosis
Trachobronchial injury
Hemoptysis
Sub-q air
Air leak with chest tube
Advance ETT below level of injury into right mainstem
Differential diagnosis
Esophageal perforation
Fever
Hemaremesis
Differential diagnosis
Fat embolus
Fever
Rash after fracture
Blood loss
Humerus
Humerus: 750 mL
Blood loss
Femur
Femur: 1500 mL
PAWP/PCWP
Function?
Normal Range
Pulmonary artery wedge pressure/
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
Function: Looks @ L side of heart, if high can indicate pulmonary congestion, CHF, and cardiogenic shock
PAWP/PCWP: 8-12 mmHg
Do not keep wedged for more than 15 seconds, make sure that baloon is deflated and have patient cough forcefully
ADULT ETT Depth
Adult
3 x ETT size or average is 19-23
Pedi ETT Depth
**Pedi: **10 + age in years
Neonatal ETT Depth
**Neonatal: **6 + age weight in kg
Ventillator miscellaneous
To change CO2…
Adjust rate (*f *), then VT
Ventillator miscellaneous
To change oxygenation
Adjust PEEP, PAP
Burns - Rule of 9’s for Pedi
Head
Torso
Arms
Legs
Perineum
Pedi
Head - 18%
Torso - 18% Front/Back
Arms - 9%
Legs - 13.5%
Perineum - 1%
Burns - Rule of 9’s for Adult
Head
Torso
Arms
Legs
Perineum
Adult
Head - 9%
Torso - 18% Front/Back
Arms - 9%
Legs - 18%
Perineum - 1%
Burns
Parkland Formula
Parkland:
4 mL x kg x TBSA
1/2 of first 8 hr’s, rest over next 16 hours
Burns
Consensus formula
Consensus:
2-4 mL x kg x TBSA
1/2 of first 8 hr’s, rest over next 16 hours
Saftey
- ELT Frequency
- Confirm ELT working
- Twin engine required offshore
- ELT Frequency - 121.5
- Tune it in and listen
- Raft, vest
Drugs
Induction agent of choice with bronchospastic patients
Ketamine (ketalar)
Drugs
Ativan aka:
Indication:
Dose:
Max.
Lorazapam
**Indication: **Seizures
**Dose: **1-2 mg
**Max: **4 mg
Drugs
Mannitol Dose
1-2 g/kg
Drugs
Drug of choice for cyclic antidepressant OD
Sodium bicarbonate
Drugs
Drug of choice for beta-blocker OD
Glucagon
Drugs
Fentanyl aka:
Dose:
Sublimaze
3µg/kg
Drugs
Treatment for malignant hyperthermia
Dantrium (dantrolene)
Drugs
Drugs for GI bleeds
Sandostatin (octreotide)
Neurogenic Shock
CVP:
CO:
CI:
PCWP:
SVR:
HR:
Neurogenic Shock
**CVP: **down
**CO: **down
**CI: **down
**PCWP: **down
**SVR: **down (distributive shock)
**HR: **Can be present as normal or slow
Arterial Line
Sites:
**Sites: **
Radial
Femoral
Arterial Line
Purpose
**Purpose: **
Monitor pressure
Draw blood
ABG’s
Maintain pressure bag @ 300 mmHg
Arterial Line
Underdampening:
Underdampening:
Caused by having air in the system,
Loose connection
Low pressure bag
Altitude changes
Arterial Line
Overdampening
Overdampening:
Caused by kinking
Increased bag pressure
Tip against the wall
ECG
Most common reperfusion dysrhythmia
AVIR
ECG
Most common hypothermia dysrhythmia
VF
(osborn wave)
Hypokalemia on ECG
Hypokalemic - Peaked P’s, flat T’
Hyperkalemia on ECG
Hyperkalemic
Peaked T’s (treat with calcium)
**MAP goal with CHI **
MAP: 80-100
CPP goal with increased ICP
CPP: 70-90
Normal ICP
Normal CPP (head)
Normal MAP
Normal for the other CPP (heart)(Cornary Perfusion Pressure)
**ICP: **0-10
**CPP (head): **70-90
**MAP: **80-100
Heart CPP: 50-60
Remember your head is higher than your heart
GCS
Mild
Moderate
Severe
GCS or Scale
Mild: 14-15
Moderate: 9-13
Severe: 3-8
CPP (head) formula
CPP: MAP-ICP
MAP formula
SBP + 2 DBP
3
CPP (heart) formula
Heart CPP: DBP - wedge
Rotor-wing minimums ceiling/visibility
Day/local
Day/cross-country
Day/local: 500 foot (ceiling) and 1 mile (visibility)
Day/cross-country: 1000 feet and 1 mile
Rotor-wing minimums ceiling/visibility
Night/local
Night/cross-country
Night/local: 500 feet and 2 miles
Night/cross-country: 1000 feet and 3 miles
Number one cause of air medical crashes
Controlled flight into terrain,
Pushing the weather
Lab Values:
Normal Potassium
K: 3.5-5.5
Lab Values:
Normal Sodium
Na: 135-145
Lab Values:
Normal Chloride
Cl- : 95-105
Lab Values:
Normal Calcium
Ca: 8.5-10.5
Metabolic acidosis elevates which electrolyte?
Potassium
Time of useful consciousness with sudden decompression at:
30,000 feet
41, 000 feet
30,000: 90 seconds
41,000: under 15 seconds
*Least amount of time is your answer on the exam
Which Leads?
12-lead ECG:
Inferior
Inferior – II, III, aVF
Which Leads?
12-lead ECG:
Septal
Septal – V1, V2
Which Leads?
12-lead ECG:
Anterior
Anterior – V3, V4
Which Leads?
12-lead ECG:
Lateral
Lateral – I, aVL, V5, V6
Which Leads?
12-lead ECG:
Posterior
Posterior – ST segment depression or reciprocal changes noted in V1-V4, ST elevation V6
Cardiac Ischemia
Ischemia: ST depression (1 mm in 2 leads)
Cardiac Infarct
Infarct: Q wave > 25% the height of R wave
Cardiac Injury
Injury: ST elevation (1mm in 2 leads)
Pediatric age guidelines
- ETT cuffed vs. uncuffed
- Needle Cricothyrotomy
- Nasal intubation
“10, 11, 12” Rules
- Uncuffed tube under 10
- Needle cricothyrotomy only under 11
- No nasal intubation under 12
High-risk OB:
PIH triad signs
HTN
Edema
Proteinuria
High-risk OB
Terbutaline contraindications
IDDM
Maternal HR over 120
Vaginal bleeding
High-risk OB
Primary cause of PTL
Infection
O2 adjustment calculation to maintain saturation at altitude
**FiO2 * **Pressure at departure (mmHg)
** Pressure at altitude**
Example: Patient on FiO2 of 0.40
Depart: 681 mmHg
Altitude: 565 mmHg
0.40 * (681/565) = 0.48
Ventilator modes: IMV & SIMV
IMV: preset breaths, TV, PIP.
Patient breaths allowed.
SIMV: allows variation of support.
Ventilator modes: AC
AC: preset volume or PIP with every breath.
Can trigger breath, can’t control TV.
Ventilator modes: CMV
CMV: preset volume or PIP at set rate.
Patient can’t initiate breath
IABP: Action
Increase cardiac output coronary perfusion
IABP: Deflates
During ventricular systole
IABP: Dicrotic Notch
Aortic valve closing, synchronized with a-line or ECG
(most common trigger)
IABP: Signs/Symptoms of balloon leak
Blood specs in tubing
Alarm
**IABP: Clot prevention **
Cycle manually every 30 minutes
IABP increases CO by
Increases CO by 10-20%
IABP: Balloon rupture
Rusty flakes in line or turn machine off
IABP: Migration/dislodged
Assess left radial and urine output
Lethal IABP timing cycles
Late deflation and early inflation
Oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve
Left Shift
“L” stands for Alkalosis
Left shift = low Hemoglobin holding oxygen Alkalosis
Low CO2
Low temperature
Low DPG
Mxydema Coma
Oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve
Right Shift
“R” stands for raised
Right = raise/releases oxygen, Acidosis, Raised CO2
Raised temperatures
Raised DPG
Thyroid Storm
Phlebostatic axis
Where?
What?
Where pressure measurements are made with invasive line
Fourth ICS, level of atria
Boyle’s Law
Ascent
Ascent
Barondontalgia (toothache)
Barosinusitis can occur on ascent
Bariobariatrauma (obese) = Nitrogen in the fat cells can expand causing the “bends” administer high flow oxygen for 15 minutes prior to lift-off to remove nitrogen
Boyle’s Law
Descent
Descent
Barotitis media (middle ear) can affect the patient during descent
Hypertension:
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Mild: 140-159/90/99
Moderate: 160-179/100-109
Severe: over 180/110
Volume for RBC
administration
Volume for WBC
RBC 10 mL/kg
WBC 20 mL/kg
ABG rules: CO2 and pH
CO2 up 10mmHg = pH down .08 (inverse)
ABG rules: Bicarb and pH
HCO3 up 10 = pH up 0.15 (proportional)
ABG rules: Bicarb replacement
Kg/4 x base deficit = mEq of bicarb needed
ABG rules: PaO2 at altitude
PaO2 drops 5 for every 1000 feet elevation
Stages of Hypoxia elevations
Signs and Symptoms:
Indifferent
Indifferent: (10,000 feet MSL)
Increased HR and RR, decreased night vision
Stages of Hypoxia elevations
Signs and Symptoms:
Compensatory
Compensatory: (10,000-15,000 feet MSL)
HTN, task impairment
Stages of Hypoxia elevations
Signs and Symptoms:
Disturbance
Disturbance: (15,000-20,000 feet MSL)
dizzy, sleepy, cyanosis
Stages of Hypoxia elevations
Signs and Symptoms:
Critical
Critical: (20,000-30,000 feet MSL)
ALOC, incapacitated
Night vision lost at:
5,000’ MSL
PA Catheter: Named?
Swan-Ganz
PA Catheter: Proximal port is for?
CVP
Medications
PA Catheter: S/S of bad placement?
VT
Ventricular ectopy
PA Catheter: Proceedure for bad placement?
Float forward to PA or pull back to RA
PA Catheter: Measures?
Right heart directly
Left heart indirectly
PA Catheter: Which prt Used?
Distal port
PA Catheter: Pressure bag set to?
300 mmHg
Normal cardiac index
CI: 2.5-4.3
Stressors of flight
- Third spacing
- Fatigue
- G-forces
- Noise
- Vibration
- Hypoxia
- Dehydration
- Temp changes
- Barometric pressure changes
Personal factors affecting stressors of flight?
DEATH
Drugs
Exhaustion
Alcohol
Tobacco
Hypoglycemia
Dalton’s law
Sum total of partial pressures equal to total atmospheric pressures (Dalton’s gang)
Examples:
Tissue swelling, altitude hypoxia, hypoxic hypoxia
This is why O2 is needed at altitude
Cardiac Thrombolytics
must be administered within
Three hours of onset of chest pain
Diving injuries
ATM
ATM for every 33 feet descent
&
Add 1 if asking for total ATM versus water pressure
Hypovolemic shock
CVP
CO
Cardiac Index
Wedge
SVR
Heart Rate
CVP: down
CO: down
Cardiac Index: down
Wedge: down
SVR: high
Heart Rate: fast
pO2 & pCO2
Acute Respiratory failure
pO2 below 60
pCO2 above 50
Newton’s laws
First law: an object in motion tends to stay in motion
Second law: force = mass x acceleration
Third law: every action has = and opposite reaction
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
Remember PROV
P = pulmonary stenosis
R = right ventricular hypertrophy
O = overriding aorta
V = ventricular septal defect
What is a tet spell?
During a “tet” spell, blood flow across the right ventricular outflow tract is significantly decreased, resulting in shunting right to left through the VSD out of the aorta, thus bypassing the lungs.
Causes include: spasms, sudden decrease in systemic vascular resistance secondary to hypovolemia, dehydration, hot weather, or defecation.
Tet spells are usually seen in the neonatal period,
& peak in incidence between two and four months of life.
Atrial waveforms
“Filling pressures”
Right atrial pressure (CVP)
Left atrial presure (PAWP/PCWP)
Ventricular waveforms
Right ventricular pressure obtained upon insertion of PA catheter or if the catheter has been dislodged backward into the right ventricle resulting in a right ventricular waveform.
Looks like “VT,” no dicrotic notch seen on the downslope of the right side of the waveform
Left ventricular pressure measured during cardiac catheterization
Arterial waveforms
Arterial lines
Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)
Dicrotic notch seen on the downslope of the right side of the waveform
Waves:** A wave**
A wave = rise in atrial pressure as a result o atrial contraction
Waves: C wave
C wave = not always visible on the tracing, rise in the atrial pressure which closure of the AV valves (tricuspid and mitral) bulge upward into the atrium following valve closure
Waves: V wave
V wave = rise in atrial pressure as it refills during ventricular contraction
A Wave correlation to ECG
A wave generally coincides with PR interval on the WCG in a right atrial pressure waveform
It will be slightly delayed in a left atrial pressure waveform
C Wave correlation to ECG
C wave generally coincides with mid to late QRS on the ECG in a right atrial pressure waveform
It will be slightly delayed in a left atrial pressure waveform
V Wave correlation to ECG
V wave is generally seen immediately after the peak of the T wave on the ECG in a right atrial pressure waveform.
It will be slightly delayed in a left atrial pressure waveform
Wave descents
Decline in right atrial pressure during atrial relaxation (remember “x” in relaXation)
Decline in right atrial pressure resulting from atrial emptying (Remember the “Y” in emptYing)
Breathing and waveforms
Record pressure measurements at the end of exhalation
In a spontaneously breathing patient, inspiration is the fall in pressure, expiration is the rise in pressure. End-expiration occurs just prior to the respiratory drop in pressure
Positive pressure mechanical ventilated patients will cause cardiac pressure to rise upon inspiration
Measuring waveforms
The end-diastolic pressure can be estimated by identifying the “Z” point
A line is drawn from the end of the QRS to the hemodynamic tracing. The point where the line intersects with the waveform is the “Z” point. The “Z” point on the PAWP tracing will be delayed by 0.08-0.12 sec from the QRS
Cardiac output formula
HR x SV = CO
Diacrotic notch
Closure of the aortic valve
Neonatal
Maintains the PSA open = prostaglandin (PGE1)
Closed the PSA = indomethacin and long-term use of high oxygen delivery
32 weeks or less in gestation = surfactant
Common cause of seizures = hypoglycemia < 40 mg/dL and hypoxia
Scaphoid abdomen = diaphragmatic hernia managed with orogastric tube and PPV
CPK > 20,000
CPK (muscle enzymes) levels greater than 20K is ominous and is an indication of later DIC, acute renal failure and is potentially dangerous hyperkalemia in the heatstroke patient
Anion gap
Na – (Cl + Bicarb/CO2) = AG Normal 12 (+/-) 4 >16 indicates an underlying metabolic acidosis
Remember: “MUDPILES” Methanol Uremia DKA Paraldehyde Isoniazide/Iron Lactate Ethylene glycol Salicylate