CPR & IVFT Flashcards
What does a CPA stand for?
Cardio-pulmonary arrest
What is a cardio-pulmonary arrest?
When patient has stopped breathing (respiratory arrest) heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest)
How serious is a CPA?
An emergency because the animal is almost dead
What does CPR stand for?
Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
What is basic life support?
CPR
What is the risk posed to patient if CPR is delayed?
Greater likelihood of not recovering and brain damage occurring from oxygen deprivation
What is the intention behind performing CPR?
Achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)
What are the two main components of CPR?
Chest compressions Ventilation
When should chest compressions be started?
Immediately
How many theories are there for achieving blood flow once more? What are these?
2: cardiac pump theory thoracic pump theory
In what recumbency should most dogs and cats be placed for CPR?
Lateral - L or R
When should ventilation be performed?
Ideally simultaneously with chest compressions
How many people are needed to achieve CPR?
2 - chest compressions + ventilation
How should ventilation be achieved?
Via ET intubation + intermittent positive pressure ventilation, using pure O2 and reservoir bag of a breathing circuit
What alternative methods are there for providing methods?
Can blow down ET tube
If not intubated, can perform mouth-snout ventilation
What is the problem associated with blowing air down an ET tube as an alternative means of ventilation?
Exhaled air only contains around 15% O2 therefore this is of limited benefit to patient
Describe the cardiac pump theory.
Ventricles are directly compressed between sternum and spine in dorsal recumbency/between ribs in lateral recumbency
Blood is forced from heart to lungs and periphery
Relaxation of ventricles returns blood to heart from lungs and periphery
Describe the underlying theory of the thoracic pump.
Intra-thoracic pressure is increased
This compresses aorta and collapses vena cava, leading to blood flow out of the thorax
During elastic recoil of the chest, decreased intra-thoracic pressure results in blood flow from the periphery back into the thorax and lungs
Describe the process of ABC patient assessment.
Airway
- ensure airway is patent - best done by ET intubation
Breathing
- watch chest
- feel for exhaled breath - mirror misting, fur displacement
Circulation
- feel for pulse via femoral artery
- if no pulse detected, start CPR immediately
What is the problem with pulse palpation (ie. femoral artery)?
Pulse palpation is very insensitive, so unless an obvious pulse is detected, CPR should be started anyway
What is the best CPR technique for round-chested dogs?
In lateral recumbency
Use thoracic pump mechanism - applies chest compressions over widest portion of chest
How should CPR be performed in narrow-chested dogs?
Patient in lateral recumbency
Cardiac pump theory - apply chest compressions directly over heart
What technique should be used for barrel-chested dogs?
Dorsal recumbency
Cardiac pump theory - apply chest compressions directly over heart
How should CPR be performed in small dogs with a compliant chest or most cats?
Place patient in lateral recumbency
Use cardiac pump theory - achieved by wrapping fingers of one hand around sternum at level of heart
What method should be used for performing CPR in larger cats or small dogs with a incompliant chest?
Patient is in lateral recumbency
Cardiac pump theory - apply chest compressions directly over heart
For which patients is the cardiac pump method used for CPR?
Narrow-chested dogs
Barrel-chested dogs
Small dogs with compliant chest
Most cats
Small dogs with non-compliant chest
Larger cats
Which kinds of patients is the thoracic pump method used?
Round-chested dogs
Which patients must be placed in lateral recumbency for CPR?
Round-chested dogs
Narrow-chested dogs
Small dogs with compliant chest
Small dogs with non-compliant chest
Most cats
Larger cats
Which patients must be placed in dorsal recumbency for CPR to be performed?
Barrel-chested dogs
What is the minimal rate at which chest compressions must be performed?
100-120/min
To what depth should chest compressions go?
1/3 to 1/2 depth of thorax
Why must you not lean on the chest of the patient?
To permit full elastic recoil of chest wall in between chest compressions
How often should CPR cycles be performed in a CPA patient?
Uninterrupted cycles of 2mins
For what reasons may brief interruptions of CPR cycles occur?
Allow changeover of people - prevent fatigue
Allow mouth-snout ventilation - if only 1 person is present
What is the procedure for normally ventilating a patient?
Insert ET tube - may need to be done with patient in lateral recumbency
Tie in place
Inflate cuff - not in cats
How should ventilation be applied?
10 breaths/min
10mL/kg tidal volume
Short inspiratory time of 1s
How is mouth-snout ventilation performed?
Hold patient’s mouth tightly closed
Place mouth over patient’s nares, making a seal with the snout
Blow into nares
30 chest compressions: 2 breaths -> repeat
What is the alternative method for performing compressions?
Interposed abdominal compressions
What are the benefits of interposed abdominal compressions?
Shown to double blood flow during CPR
Doubles CPR success rate
What is the potential risk posed by performing interposed abdominal compressions?
Potential for compressions to lacerate liver or spleen if not performed correctly
How is the risk of lacerating the spleen or liver minimised in interposed abdominal compressions?
Application of abdominal pressure interposed during elastic recoil phase of chest compressions minimises this risk
How should interposed abdominal compressions be administered?
Apply abdominal pressure with overlapping hands just cranial to umbilicus
Hand position, depth, rhythm and rate of compressions similar to those of chest compressions