Cardiac arrest

Question 1

Cardiac arrest?

Answer 1

Acute cessation of cardiac function.

Question 2

Cardiac arrest risk factors (8)?

Answer 2

The reversible causes are 4Hs and 4Ts = Hypothermia, hypoxia, hypovolaemia, hypokalaemia/hyperkalaemia. Toxins, thromboembolic, tamponade, tension pneumothorax.

Question 3

Cardiac arrest symptoms?

Answer 3

Usually sudden but some symptoms that precede are fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness

Question 4

Cardiac arrest signs?

Answer 4

Unconscious, not breathing, absent carotid pulse.

Question 5

Cardiac arrest investigations?

Answer 5

cardiac monitor, bloods (ABG, U&Es, FBC, x-match, clotting, tox screen, blood glucose)

Question 6

Cardiac arrest management BLS?

Answer 6

consider precordial thump, then clear and maintain the airway, head tilt jaw thrust, and chin lift. Assess breathing by look listen feel, assess carotid pulse for 10 secs, then chest compressions

Question 7

Cardiac arrest management ALS?

Answer 7

attach cardiac monitor and defibrillator. Treatment of reversible causes; Hypothermia - warm slowly, Hypokalaemia and Hyperkalaemia - correction of electrolyte levels Hypovolaemia - IV colloids, crystalloids and blood products Tamponade – pericardiocentesis, Tension Pneumothorax - aspiration or chest drain Thromboembolism - treat as PE or MI, Toxins - use antidote for given toxin.

Question 8

Cardiac arrest complications?

Answer 8

irreversible hypoxic brain damage, death.