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Cardiac Arrest: Difference between revisions
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* <b>Asthma:</b> The main troubles encountered in the resuscitation of patients with asthma relates to the underlying lung disease. In general increased lung resistance makes ventilation of these patients difficult and can increase the risk of gastric inflation. Early intubation is indicated in these patients. Due to the hyperinflation of the lungs more energy might be required in defibrillating these patients, as the heart is isolated by air. | * <b>Asthma:</b> The main troubles encountered in the resuscitation of patients with asthma relates to the underlying lung disease. In general increased lung resistance makes ventilation of these patients difficult and can increase the risk of gastric inflation. Early intubation is indicated in these patients. Due to the hyperinflation of the lungs more energy might be required in defibrillating these patients, as the heart is isolated by air. | ||
* <b>Cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery: </b>Cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery is usually caused by specific causes possibly related as a consequence of the cardiac surgery. Early resternotomy can be the key to survival, especially after repeated defibrillation has failed or if asystole is observed. | * <b>Cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery: </b>Cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery is usually caused by specific causes possibly related as a consequence of the cardiac surgery. Early resternotomy can be the key to survival, especially after repeated defibrillation has failed or if asystole is observed. | ||
* <b>Drowning: </b>Drowning is a common cause of accidental death. Correction of hypoxia is critical in the outcome of these victims. Care should be taken to start immediate resuscitation and restore oxygenation, ventilation and perfusion. | * <b>Drowning: </b>Drowning is a common cause of accidental death. There are no differences between victims of salt water and fresh water drowning. Correction of hypoxia is critical in the outcome of these victims as cardiac arrest is a consequence of the hypoxia. Care should be taken to start immediate resuscitation and restore oxygenation, ventilation and perfusion. During BLS it is recommended to start the BLS with 5 rescue breaths. Rescue breathing is difficult after drowning due tot the presence of fluid in the airway and the high inflation pressure required after drowning. Furthermore regurgitation is common and removal of the regurgitated material during resuscitation is required. It is common for hypothermia to be present in victims of drowning, complicating the resuscitation attempt. After return of spontaneous circulation, pneumonia is common and patients are prone to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). | ||
* <b>Electrocution:</b> Electrocution can result in multi-system injury and usually occur in the workspace in adult or at home in children. The direct effects of an electric shock on tissues, for instance paralysis of the respiratory system or muscles, VF in the myocardium, ischemia due to coronary artery spasm or asystole can result in a cardiac arrest. Electrical burns can complicate the resuscitation and care should be taken to avoid further complications resulting from these burns. Adequate fluid therapy is required if there is significant tissue destruction. | * <b>Electrocution:</b> Electrocution can result in multi-system injury and usually occur in the workspace in adult or at home in children. The direct effects of an electric shock on tissues, for instance paralysis of the respiratory system or muscles, VF in the myocardium, ischemia due to coronary artery spasm or asystole can result in a cardiac arrest. Electrical burns can complicate the resuscitation and care should be taken to avoid further complications resulting from these burns. Adequate fluid therapy is required if there is significant tissue destruction. | ||
* <b>Electrolyte disorder:</b> Electrolyte abnormalities are among the most common causes of cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium disorders are commonly seen, especially hyperkalaemia has a high risk of malignant arrhythmias. During cardiac arrest treatment of these abnormalities is no different than in the normal clinical setting, and aggressive treatment of the elektrolyte disorder should be initiated. | * <b>Electrolyte disorder:</b> Electrolyte abnormalities are among the most common causes of cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium disorders are commonly seen, especially hyperkalaemia has a high risk of malignant arrhythmias. During cardiac arrest treatment of these abnormalities is no different than in the normal clinical setting, and aggressive treatment of the elektrolyte disorder should be initiated. | ||