CPR Flashcards
What is respiratory arrest?
Cessation of effective breathing
What is Cardiorespiratory arrest (CPA)?
Cessation of effective cardiac activity (cardiac output) and respiration
What is Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
Re-establishment of sustained cardiac output without assistance
What is Basic life support (BLS)?
Chest compressions and assisted ventilation
What is Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)?
BLS plus medical and electrical interventions
What is CPCR (cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation)?
Resuscitative efforts (BLS and/or ACLS) required to elicit ROSC and emphasizing the importance of neurological outcome
Why is it sometimes difficult to recognised cardiopulmonary arrest?
Can be difficult in the critically ill, those with altered mental states and those under the effects of analgesics it can be hard to tell
Which parameters is it important to assess to determine whether a patient is in cardiopulmonary arrest?
Remember ABC!
Is there spontaneous breathing effort? Auscultate the heart, feel the apex beat and pulses
What are some impending signs on an ECG of a cardiopulmonary arrest?
Ventricular tachycardia, ventrial flutter, third degree AV block, atrial standstill, ST depression, R on T phenomenon
How can high vagal tone lead to cardiopulmonary arrest? What can cause high vagal tone?
It can cause a life threatening bradycardia causing a vasovagal syncope and vagal arrest.
Vagal stimulation can be cause by vomiting, defecation, resp/abdominal disease.
What should you do in the even of a vasovagal arrest?
Administer oxygen, and administer atropine (0.005-0.02mg/kg)
What are some essential pieces equipment for successful CPR?
ET tubes, IV catheters, bandaging material, laryngoscope, syringes and needles, drugs. (Also helpful: defribrillator, scalpel blades, suture material, IV fluids, pressure bag, ETCO2 monitor)
How many people is ideal for CPR?
Ideally 4 (minimum 3)
What should be the first steps in CPR?
Secure AIRWAY, BREATHE for the patient, and get CIRCULATION going (compressions can start before breathing)
How many breaths should you aim to provide an animal in cardiopulmonary arrest? What equipment is needed, how do you do this?
12-15 breaths per minute (anymore or less is detrimental). Use positive pressure ventilation with 100% oxygen using an Ambu bag.
What types of closed CPR can be done? When are these appropriately used?
Cardiac pump - used for small dogs and cats
Thoracic pump - larger dogs (>7kg)
What is the cardiac pump theory in cats and dogs?
Used in cats and smaller dogs. Compression encompass heart from both sides and essentially squeeze the heart to pump blood.
What is the thoracic pump theory in cats and dogs?
For larger dogs (>7kg). Compression focused on widest part of the chest so that changes occur due to changes in intrathoracic pressure.
What are some possible indications for open CPR?
Very large dogs >40kg, significant pleural space disease, pericardial effusion.
Once basic life support is started, advanced life support is started. What monitoring device is used to determine which drugs should be administered?
ECG
Some electrical activity on ECG, but no pulses (pulseless electrical activity) or no electrical activity (asystole) should be given adrenaline. Sinus bradycardia give atropine, sinus tachycardia is given lidocaine.
Once basic life support is started, what drug should be given when Some electrical activity on ECG, but no pulses (pulseless electrical activity) or no electrical activity (asystole)?
Adrenaline
Once basic life support is started, what drug should be given for sinus bradycardia seen on an ECG?
Atropine
Once basic life support is started, what drug should be given for sinus tachycardia seen on an ECG?
Lidocaine
Should fluids be given during resusscitation? When are they contraindicated?
As circulation usually poor, usually fluids are given via pressure bags. Only contraindication is when fluid overload was original cause of arrest.
