Electrolyte imbalance and cardiac arrest Significant electrolyte imbalances can precipitate cardiac arrest and are potentially reversible etiologies when promptly and appropriately addressed. Both venous and…
Hyperthermia and malignant hyperthermia Hyperthermia is characterized by a body temperature exceeding the typical range of 36.5-37.6°C (97.7-99.7°F). It arises when heat production or acquisition…
Accidental hypothermia Accidental hypothermia is defined as an unintentional decrease in body temperature to below 35°C. The lowest recorded body temperatures from which patients have…
Post-resuscitation care Victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who achieve ROSC in the emergency room (ER) are transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), coronary…
This chapter discusses interventions and evaluations performed during advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). While basic life support (BLS) can be delivered by virtually anyone, advanced…
Basic life support (BLS) can be provided by anyone, including laypeople. As shown in Table 1, BLS is an exceptionally effective treatment, with a very…
Neurons are exceptionally vulnerable to hypoxia and anoxia (Casas et al). In cardiac arrest without chest compressions (i.e. if cerebral perfusion ceases), irreversible neuronal cell…
A standard 12-lead ECG should be recorded in all patients after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The purpose of a 12-lead ECG is to detect…
Cardiac arrest is a result of tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia or asystole. The tachyarrhythmias include ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The bradyarrhythmias include all…
Predicting sudden cardiac arrest The purpose of discovering and measuring risk factors is to obtain estimates of risk, tailor management according to the risk and…
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