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Adult pulseless arrest
From WikEM
								(Redirected from Pulseless V-tach)
												
				Contents
Immediate
- Start CPR
 - Give oxygen
 - Attach monitor/defibrilator
 - Rhythm shockable?
 
V-Fib and Pulseless V-Tach (Shockable)
- Shock as quickly as possible and resume CPR immediately after shocking
- Biphasic - 200J
 - Monophasic - 360 J
 
 - Give Epi 1mg if (shock + 2min of CPR) fails to convert the rhythm
 - Give antiarrhythmic if (2nd shock + 2min of CPR) again fails
- 1st line: Amiodarone 300mg IVP with repeat dose of 150mg as indicated
 - 2nd line: Lidocaine 1-1.5mg/kg then 0.5-0.75mg/kg q5-10min
 - Polymorphic V-tach: Magnesium 2g IV, followed by maintenance infusion
 
 
Asystole and PEA (Non-Shockable)
- Epi 1mg q3-5min
 
- Three major mechanisms of PEA (3 & 3 Rule)
 
- Severe Hypovolemia
 - Obstruction
 - Pump Failure
 
Treatable ACLS Conditions (H's and T's)
- Hypovolemia
 - Hypoxemia
 - Hydrogen ion (i.e. acidemia)
 - Hypo/hyperkalemia
 - Hypothermia
 - Tension Pneumothorax
 - Cardiac tamponade
 - Toxins
 - Thrombosis, pulmonary
 - Thrombosis, coronary
 
PEA Evaluation by QRS
Differential based on QRS being narrow or wide and aided by ultrasound
QRS Narrow
Mechanical RV Problem – Ultrasound should show hyperdynamic LV and potential cause
- Cardiac tamponade
 - Tension pneumothorax
 - Mechanical hyperinflation
 - Pulmonary embolism
 - Acute MI with myocardial rupture
 
QRS Widened
Metabolic LV Problem – Ultrasound should show hypokinetic LV
- Severe hyperkalemia
 - Sodium-channel blocker toxicity (Ex. Tricyclic (TCA) toxicity)
 - Agonal rhythm
 - Acute MI with pump failure
 
General
- A (adjunct) - Place oropharyngeal airway
 - B (breathing) - place on Ventilator to assure slow ventilation rate (attach to BVM mask)
- 10-12 bpm, 500cc tidal volume, Fio2 100%
 
 - C (compressions) - Switch out providers q pulse check; use metronome
 - D - defibrillation
- May be ok to shock during compressions if wearing gloves and using biphasic device[1]
 
 
- A (advanced airway)
- Use LMA (NOT ET tube - no break in compressions required)
 
 - B (advanced breathing)
- Connect LMA to Ventilator
- Pressure control 20, RR 10, insp rate 1.5-2s
 
 
 - Connect LMA to Ventilator
 - C (advanced circulation)
- Place IO instead of central line
 
 - D (differential)
 
Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation
A patient is considered refractory after ≥3 defib, ≥3mg epi, and 300mg amio
DSED[2] & Esmolol for Failure of Standard ACLS[3]
- Place a second set of defib pads in an alternative location on the chest
 - Continue CPR
 - Deliver 200J (or 360J if monophasic) simultaneously from both defibrillators
 - Continue CPR
 - Give Esmolol bolus at 0.5mg/kg and start drip at 0.1mg/kg
 - Deliver 200J (or 360J if monophasic) simultaneously from both defibrillators
 - Continue CPR
 
Fibrinolytics
Dosing
- Alteplase 0.6mg/kg IV push x1 given over 15 min (± heparin 5000 unit bolus), and then repeated 30 min after if still no ROSC[4]
- Heparin may be bolused with tPA or after ROSC obtained
 - Max doses of 50mg may be as efficacious as 100mg
 - Consider at least 20min of CPR after last dose of tPA before ending code
 
 
Guidelines and Recommendations
- ACLS 2010 does not yet recommend routine thrombolytics (Class III)
 - CHEST 2012 and ACLS 2010 recommends in acute PE or high suspicion[5]
- Class IIc and Class IIa, respectively
 - 2 hr infusion time recommended over long, 24hr (CHEST Class IIc)
 
 
See Also
- ACLS (Main)
 - Double simultaneous external defibrillation
 - Brain death
 - Post cardiac arrest
 - Pediatric pulseless arrest
 
External Links
References
- ↑ Lloyd MS, Heeke B, Walter PF, and Langberg JJ. Hands-on defibrillation: an analysis of current flow through rescuers in direct contact with patients during biphasic external defibrillation. Circulation. 2008; 117:2510-2514.
 - ↑ Hoch DH et al. Double Sequential External Shocks for Refractory Ventricular fibrillation. JACC 1994; 23: 1141 – 5.
 - ↑ Driver BE, Debaty G, Plummer DW, et al. Use of esmolol after failure of standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation to treat patients with ventricular fibrillation. Resuscitation. 2014; 85(10):1337-1341.
 - ↑ Böttiger BW et al. Lancet 2001;357:1583-5.
 - ↑ Kearon C et al. Chest 2012; 141 (2)(suppl):e419s-e494s. Vanden Hoek TL et al. Circulation 2010; 122 (suppl):S829-S861.
 


