CPR Flashcards
Name a few of the causes of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA)
Severe trauma
Hypovolaemia
Cardiac arrhythmias
pH abnormalities
Drugs and toxins
Severe electrolyte disturbances
Anaesthesia complications
What are the features of acute failure of the cardio-respiratory systems
Lack of oxygen delivered to the tissues
Unconsciousness and systemic cellular death
Cerebral hypoxia
What is the time frame between loss of oxygen supply to the brain and brain death
4-6 mins
Give the 3 main signs of cardio-pulmonary arrest (CPA)
Loss of consciousness
Apnoea or agonal gasping
No corneal reflex or palpebral reflex
What is the process of basic life support
Initiate CPR - chest compressions and ventilation
CAB = Circulation, Airway, Breathing
What are the two types of chest compressions and what different animals are they used on
Cardiac pump - animals <10kg
Thoracic pump - animals >10kg
How fast (bpm) should cardiac pump compressions be
100-120bpm
How fast (bpm) should thoracic pump compressions be, and why is it different to cardiac pump
60-120bpm
Wider range as the depth of compression more important than the speed
How to get an airway during basic life support (x3)
Clear manually or with suction
ET Tube
Emergency tracheotomy if obstruction which cannot be cleared
What type of ventilation is required in basic life support, and how is this achieved
PPV - positive pressure ventilation
AMBU bag normally
Mouth-to-snout ventilation - zoonotic risk
What the is approximate tidal volume in ml/kg and why is this important to know
Total volume = 10ml/kg
Important as if you go over this => iatrogenic barotrauma, pulmonary haemorrhage or pneumothorax
What is the approx. ventilation rate during basic life support
10 breaths per min
= 6 seconds = 1 breath
What are the 3 extra steps in advanced life support compared to basic life support (after chest compressions and ventilation)
Monitoring
Obtaining vascular access
Administering reversals
What machines can you use to monitor patients (advanced life support)
Capnograph - ETCO2 is the important value
ECG - allows rhythm assessment - is it shockable or not
What value of ETCO2 suggests that your compressions are good enough
> 15-20mmHg
Name the 3 main vessels that we use to obtain vascular access
Cephalic
Saphenous
Jugular
What are the 2 back up plans for if you cannot gain IV access by the cephalic, saphenous or jugular
Intraosseous route
Intratracheal
Name the reversal agent for alpha 2 agonists
Atipamazole
Name the reversal agent for opioids
Naloxone
Name the reversal agent for benzodiazepines
Flumazenil
If you have ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (PVT), name the 3 methods to convert them to asystole or PEA
Defibrilation
Pre-cordial thump
Medical conversion - lidocaine/amiodarone
What does asystole look like on an ECG
Flat line
What does pulseless electrical activity (PEA) look like on an ECG
Completely normal
Do you shock/defibrilate if the patient is in asystole or PEA
No
Name 3 drugs you may use when a patient is in asystole or PEA
Adrenaline - low dose
Vasopressin
Atropine
What does ROSC stand for and how to recognise it
ROSC = Return of Spontaneous Circulation
Capnograph - sudden increase In ETCO2
Return of consciousness/reflexes
Give 4 considerations when giving post-ROSC care
- Animal may re-arrest
- Respiratory optimisation - beware of hyperoxia and oxidative damage with reperfusion
- Cardiovascular optimisation - bear of fluid overload
- Hypothermia - can be beneficial, re-warm slowly
