Cardiac arrest

Question 1

What are the 4 H reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

Answer 1

Hypoxia

Hypothermia

Hypovolaemia

Hypoglycaemia, hypo/hyperglycaemia and metabolic

Question 2

What are the 4 T reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

Answer 2

Thrombosis - coronary or pulmonary

Tamponade

Toxins

Tension pneumothorax

Question 3

2 examples of shockable rhythms?

Answer 3

Ventricular tachycardia - presents as a regular broad complex tachycardia on cardiac monitoring.

Ventricular fibrillation - presents as chaotic irregular deflections of varying amplitudes.

Question 4

Management of shockable rhythms in cardiac arrest?

Answer 4

Defibrillation and CPR are mainstays of treatment

If persistent, one off IV 300mg dose of amiodarone is given

Question 5

2 examples of non-shockable rhythms?

Answer 5

Non-shockable rhythms are rhythms which are not compatible with life.

PEA (pulseless electrical activity) - ECG shows electrical activity that should produce a pulse but where cardiac output is absent.

Asystole is a cardiac arrest rhythm with no discernible electrical activity on ECG monitor.

Question 6

Management of non-shockable rhythms ?

Answer 6

Start CPR 30:2

Give adrenaline 1mg IV as soon as IV access is achieved

No shock is indicated