Emergencies Flashcards
What are the signs of an air embolism?
Decreased CO2
Tachypnoea
Decreased oxygen saturation
Hypotension
Tachycardia
ECG changes
‘Pulmonary wheel murmur’
Pulmonary oedema may develop later
Altered mental status if awake
Cardiopulmonary collapse
What should you do in the event of an Air Embolism?
Call for help
Identify a hands-off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% and stop any nitrous oxide use
Stop the source of air entry
Inform the surgeon to flood surgical field
Use ETCO2 to monitor progression
What are the main risks for air embolism?
Operative field above the heart
Spinal surgery
Sitting craniotomy
Large bore IV access
Rapid infusions
C section
Gas insufflation procedures
Head up during central line
RRT, ECMO, Bypass
What are the signs of anaphylaxis?
Severe grade reaction
Hypotension
Bronchospasm
High peak airway pressure
Decreased or lack of breath sounds
Tachycardia
Urticara
Cardiac arrest
Oedema
What should you do in the event of a suspected anaphylaxis ?
Call for help
Identify a hands off team leader
Turn FiO2 to 100% and consider reducing anaesthesia depth
Adrenalin bolus of 20-100mcg IV repeat 1-2 minutes
OR
Adrenalin IM 0.5mg every 5 minutes as needed
Remove potential causative agents
Secure the airway with ETT
Ensure large bore IV access
Give 2L fluid bolus and elevate legs
If no pulse or systolic BP <50 start CPR and follow PEA algorithm
Obtain and continue with anaphylaxis box cards
What should you next consider with a suspected anaphylaxis ?
Adrenalin infusion +/- any other vasopressor
Salbutamol +/- magnesium if bronchospams
Arterial line, central line, blood gases
Tryptase levels test 1 / 4 / 24 afters
Can the operation continue?
Referral to ICU
What is the IM adrenalin dose for children?
10mcg [0.01ml/kg] of 1:1000
[min dose 0.1ml]
[max dose 0.5ml]
Repeat every 5 minutes as needed
What is the IM adrenalin dose for adults?
0.5mg [0.5ml of 1:1000]
Repeat every 5 minutes as needed
Main causes of anaphylaxis?
Antibiotics
Muscle relaxants
Chlorhexidine
Latex
Colloids
Patient blue
What do you do in the event of an unstable bradycardia?
Call for help and the resuscitation trolley and attach defib pads
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100%
Stop surgical stimulation
Give atropine 600mcg IV repeat up to 3mg
If atropine ineffective start either adrenalin infusion or transcutaneous pacing
Confirm pulse present if no pulse start CPR and follow cardiac arrest aystole/PEA algorithm
What are the signs of unstable bradycardia?
HR <50bpm with hypotension
Acutely altered mental state
Shock
Ischaemic ECG or acute heart failure
What are the signs of bronchospasm?
Persistant increased peak airway pressure
Wheezing
ETCO2 slowly increasing slope
What should you do during a bronchospasm emergency?
Call for help
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100%
Examine patients chest for wheeze and air entry
Consider other differentials [aspiration, anaphylaxis, ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome]
Deepen anaesthesia with sevoflurane
Use neuromuscular blocker and consider intubating if LMA
Start drug treatments
Review and adjust ventilator settings [volume control]
What drugs are given during bronchospasm?
Salbutamol inhaled 8-12 puffs
Salbutamol IV bolus 250mcg [100mcg/ml]
Magnesium
Adrenalin
ketamine
What are some additional steps to consider during a bronchospasm?
ICU review and advice
If concerned about aspiration pass suction catheter down ETT
If haemodynamically unstable may have tension pneumothorax, gas trapping or anaphylaxis
Arterial line and serial ABG’s
Chest X-ray / scan
What are the signs of Cardiac Arrest – asystole / PEA?
Non-shockable pulseless cardiac arrest
What should you do in the event of an asystole / PEA?
Call for help and the resuscitation trolley
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% and turn off anaesthesia
Start CPR and encourage high quality chest compressions
Adrenalin 1mg IV and repeat every 2nd cycle [3-5 minutes]
Secure airway with ETT and ventilate RR 8
Confirm capnography
Attach defibrillator pads in case of change to shockable rhythm
Review reversable causes 4H’s 4T’s
Pulse and rhythm check every 2 minutes
Use ETCO2 to assess CPR quality
What drug do you give for an adult cardiac arrest?
Adrenalin 1mg IV and repeat every 2nd cycle [3-5 minutes]
What are the 4 H’s of a cardiac arrest cause stand for?
Hypovolemia/ Haemorrhage
Hypoxia
Hyper/hypokalaemia / metabolic disorders
Hyper/hypothermia
What are the 4 T’s of a cardiac arrest cause stand for?
Tension pnumothorax
Tamponade
Thrombosis – pulmonary, coronary, air, fat
Toxins [beta blocker, Ca2+ channel blocker, local anaesthetic, drug error]
How do you treat hyperkalaemia?
Sodium bicarbonate
Insulin actrapid
Calcium chloride
What is the paediatric dose of adrenaline for a cardiac arrest Asystole/PEA
Adrenaline 0.01mg/kg of the 0.1mg/ml concentration
Max dose 1mg
Repeat every 3-5 minutes
What are the steps to take during a Cardiac arrest VF / VT
Call for help and the resuscitation trolley
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% and turn off anaesthesia
Start CPR and encourage high quality chest compressions
Defibrillate at 200J then recommence CPR
Adrenalin 1mg IV and repeat every 2nd cycle [3-5 minutes]
After 3rd cycle consider giving amiodarone 300mg IV
Secure airway with ETT and ventilate RR 8
Confirm capnography
Attach defibrillator pads in case of change to shockable rhythm
Review reversable causes 4H’s 4T’s
Pulse and rhythm check every 2 minutes
Use ETCO2 to assess CPR quality
What are the Defibrillator Instructions?
Attach defibrillator pads to patient in the appropriate way
Select energy 200J and press charge
Once charged stop CPR and assess rhythm
If shock advised ensure all staff stand clear of bed
Pressure shock and immediately restart CPR
What are the non-shockable rhythms?
Asystole/PEA
What are the shockable rhythms?
VF / VT
What are the Starting steps to take with an unanticipated difficult airway?
Call for help and the difficult intubation trolley
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% at high gas flows
Use Vortex approach
Ensure good neuromuscular relaxation and consider TIVA
One person to watch oxygen saturation, declare if <90%
Ask hands off leader to count and say airway attempts
What are the get ready for CICO steps in an uninticpated difficult airway?
Open FONA [front of neck access] kit on the side of the anaesthesia machine for scalpel and or needle technique
Contact ENT senior surgeon to help
What are the steps to take during a CICO event during an unanticipated difficult airway?
Declare CICO if oxygen saturations <90% or rapidly falling and all 3 lifeline best effort attempts not successful
Options are WAKE UP or FONA
For wake up ensure muscle relaxant reversal is complete
What are the signs of an unanticipated difficult airway?
Unsuccessful intubation and oxygenation attempts under optimized conditions
What are the initial steps should you take during a haemorrhage?
Call for help and ask for blood warmer or rapid infuser +/- cell saver
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% and consider reducing anaesthesia depth
Confirm source control attempted by surgeon ask if help is needed
Get large bore IV access x 2
Give fluid bolus and vasopressors to maintain organ perfusion
Blood request
What are the signs of High airway pressures?
Persistant increased peak airway pressure >40cmH20
Hypoxaemia
Inadequate ventilation
What steps should you take during a high airway pressure event?
Call for help and ask surgeons to stop stimulation
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100%
Consider TIVA
Exclude ligh anaesthesia or inadequate relaxation
Switch to manual ventilation
Disconnect LMA/ETT from circuit and squeeze bag to assess if the problem is with the airway, breathing or circuit
If pressure is normal now problem is with the airway or breathing
If pressure is still raised problem is with the circuit
Ensure HME filter checked/excluded
What steps should you take if its an airway problem during a high airway pressure event?
Review position, check patency by passing suction catheter, consider change of device
What steps should you take if it’s a breathing problem during a high airway pressure event?
Review cause by examination
Listen to chest
Consider ultrasound or chest X-ray
What steps should you take if it’s a circuit problem during a high airway pressure event?
Ventilate with AMBU bag
TIVA
Review circuit
What common problems could cause a circuit to create high airway pressures?
Blocked HME filter
Water in circuit
Kinked/compressed
Valves sticky
What can cause airway or breathing problems?
Anaphylaxis
Aspiration
Abnormal anatomy
Bronchospasm
Blocked or displaced LMA/ETT
Inadequate depth of anaesthesia
Inadequate muscle relaxation
Malignant hyperthermia
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary oedema
atelectasis
What is atelectasis?
The collapse of part or all a lung
Caused by a blockage of the air passages [bronchus or bronchioles]
What are the signs of hypotension?
Unexplained drop in blood pressure refractory to initial treatment
Why is the solution SAGM added to RBC?
{Sodium
Adenine
Glucose
Manitol}
It extends the shelf life of RBC up to 42 days of increased functional viability
What steps should you take during a hypotension emergency?
Call for help and the resuscitation trolley
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% and consider reducing the anaesthesia depth
Check pulse, BP, ECG and equipment
If Bradycardia, Tachycardia or Cardiac Arrest see specific checklist
Open IV / Pressurised fluid bolus / consider blood products
Optimize venous return with Trendelenburg positioning / low PEEP
Vasopressor treatment
Mild hypotension - phenylephrine, ephedrine, metaraminol
Severe / refractory – adrenaline, noradrenaline or vasopressin
Identify cause of hypotension
What additional steps should be taken during a hypotension emergency?
Arterial line
CVC
ABG
Hourly urine output monitoring
Consider echo
Referral to ICU
What surgical events can cause a hypotension emergency?
Mechanical / surgical manipulation
Insufflation during laparoscopy
Retraction and vagal stimulation
Vascular compression
Can sepsis cause a hypotension emergency event?
Yes
What are the signs of hypoxia?
Low oxygen saturation <92% or cyanosis
What should you do during a hypoxia emergency?
Call for help
Identify a hands-off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% at high gas flows
Confirm ETCO2 capnography and morphology
Confirm pulse oximeter position and patient colour
Hand ventilate and assess patient / circuit
Check;
Airway – Examine device +/- suction tube, laryngoscopy
Breathing – chest sounds, movement and lung compliance
Circulation – blood pressure, pulse and rhythm
Circuit – HME filter, tubing, one-way valves, anaesthesia machine
Depth and relaxation
What are the signs of laryngospasm?
Sustained closure of the vocal cords resulting I the partial or complete loss of the patients airway
What steps should you take during a laryngospasm emergency?
Call for help
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100% at high gas flows
Stop any stimulation
If has LMA remove and clear airway using suction if needed
Apply mask, jaw thrust and CPAP 30Cm H20
+/- Oropharyngeal airway
Deeping anaesthesia using propofol
Relaxation using IV suxamethonium
Plan to intubate if sats are <92%
Can laryngospasm break with sufficient time and hypoxia?
yes
Does ongoing laryngospasm increase the risk of negative pressure pulmonary oedema, bradycardia, cardiac arrest and aspiration?
yes
What is the intubation dose of propofol for adults?
1-2mg/kg
What is the intubation dose for suxamethonium IV?
2mg/kg
What is the intubation dose for suxamethonium IM?
4mg/kg
How much propofol do you give to break a laryngospasm event?
20% of an induction dose 0.25-0.5mg/kg
What are the signs of local anaesthetic toxicity?
Sudden alteration in mental status
Tonic clonic seizure
Arrhythmias or cardiovascular collapse
Sinus bradycardia
Conductional blocks
Asystole
Ventricular tacharrthymias
What’s steps should you take for a local anaesthetic toxicity emergency event?
Stop giving the local anaesthetic
Call for help and the resuscitation trolley and intralipid
Identify a hands off leader and delegate roles
Turn FiO2 to 100%
Assess airway, breathing, circulation and treat accordingly
If haemodynamically unstable consider intralipid
Hyperventilation may be helpful
Treat seizures with propofol
What is the immediate bolus dose of 20% intralipid during a local anaesthetic emergency event?
1.5mg/kg over 1 minute [100ml for 70kg]
If remains unstable Repeat 2 more doses at 5-minute intervals max
What is the infusion dose of 20% intralipid?
15ml/kg/hr [1000ml/hr for 70kg]
If remains unstable double infusion rate
Is propofol a substitute for intralipid?
No
What can trigger a Malignant Hyperthermia?
Volatile anaesthetic agents
Suxamethonium
What are the signs for malignant hyperthermia?
Unexpected increase in ETCO2
Unexplained tachycardia
Unexplained tachypnoea
Arrhythmias
Prolonged masseter muscle spasm after suxamethonium
Hyperthermia is a late sign