Cardiac Arrest

Question 1

Define

Answer 1

DEFINITION: acute cessation of cardiac function

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

The REVERSIBLE causes of cardiac arrest can be summarised as the 4 Hs and 4 Ts

FOUR Hs

1) Hypothermia
2) Hypoxia
3) Hypovolaemia
4) Hypokalaemia/Hyperkalaemia

FOUR Ts

1) Toxins (and other metabolic disorders (drugs, therapeutic agents, sepsis))
2) Thromboembolic
3) Tamponade
4) Tension pneumothorax

Question 3

Symptoms

Answer 3

Management precedes or is concurrent to history

Cardiac arrest is usually sudden but some symptoms that may preceded by fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness

Question 4

Signs

Answer 4

Unconscious

Not breathing

Absent carotid pulses

Question 5

Investigations

Answer 5

Cardiac Monitor

Allows classification of the rhythm

1) Bloods

ABG ,U&E, FBC, X-match , Clotting

Toxicology screen

Blood glucose

Question 6

Management

Answer 6

Basic Life Support
Advanced Life Support

reatment 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 7

Complication

Answer 7

Irreversible hypoxic brain damage

Death