Cardiac arrest

Updated: April 11, 2024

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Background

The patients who are suffering from cardiac disease have a sudden decrease of heart function, which might occur sudden or after other symptoms and is potentially fatal if it is left uncured. The causes include irregular heartbeat that brought on by disturbances in the electrical impulses. When the heart stopped to function, cardiac arrest occurs. It is a medical condition which is characterized by severely disabled or fatal. 

Epidemiology

The epidemiological data shows different populations have different rates. This can affect people of all ages, both children and adult individuals. The survival rate is enhanced with start of CPR. Higher rates of bystander CPR use are associated with increased cardiac attack survival rates in all populations. 

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

Etiology

The main cause of the cardiac arrests includes blockages in the coronary arteries & which is followed with arryhthmia. The risk of cardiac arrest is increased by abnormalities in the blood & electrolyte levels. The larger blood vessels are directly affected by serious trauma. 

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

To increase survival chances, commencement of CPR should be started as early as possible. It’s important to maintaining blood circulation and oxygenation with the help of rescue breathing equipment and chest compressions. The use of automated external defibrillators is significant in cases of cardiac arrest. 

Clinical History

Age Group 

Due to increasing cardiac disease risk factors, those 45-64 years old are more susceptible. Higher prevalence is observed in persons over 50. As people age, their risk increases, mainly for seniors who are 65 and above. There is an elevated possibility that many comorbidities may contribute to cardiac incidents. 

Physical Examination

Breathing assessment 

Pulse Assessment test 

Pupillary response test 

check for external Signs of Trauma 

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Rupturing of the plaque is the result of cardiac attacks and blood clots that results in cardiac arrest. The risk factors are enhanced for the individuals who previously suffered with cardiac attack. The possible cause is also arrhythmias that harm the muscle of the heart eventually. The function of the heart is influenced by various disease which elevates the risk factors for cardiac arrest like cardiomyopathies. 

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

The presentation of the cardiac arrest is interruption of the regular breathing patterns. Gasping breaths can also be observed. These are the vital parameters which is significant for the heart evaluation. It is also affected by a lack of pulse & lack of oxygen supply that can cause the skin to turn blue or pale. It might cause pupils to dilate. 

Differential Diagnoses

Imbalances of electrolytes 

Cardiomyopathies 

Arrhythmias 

Coronary Artery Disease 

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

The CPR is the major step that is performed as first treatment parameter. 

Chest compressions can also be performed as second step with appropriate pace and depth. 

The use of automated external defibrillator is suggested. Airway management and other treatments, use early advanced life support is also crucial in this case. 

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

use-of-non-pharmacological-approach-for-cardiac-arrest

It is important to ensure the accessibility of emergency services. Make sure EMS is easily available by publishing phone numbers that are easily visible. Place automated external defibrillators in places with an excessive traffic. 

The CPR training programs are significant for common public approach. 

Ensure to adopt healthy heart habits to promote good functionality of heart. 

Starting health related wellness programmes is good choice. Promote good eating, emphasise quitting smoking, and incorporate physical exercise. Motivate people to eat healthily in restaurants, offices, and educational settings. It’s important to promote routine physical examinations and screenings to control risk factors. 

Use of Vasopressor drugs in treating cardiac arrest

Epinephrine  

This drug is beneficial in improving heart rate and myocardial contractility. It promotes vasoconstriction, hence enhancing supply of blood to the essential organs. It is used to increase coronary perfusion after cardiac arrest. 

Vasopressin 

This drug is a choice for improving blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction. 

Use of antiarrhythmic drugs in treating cardiac arrest

Amiodarone 

The drug is useful in regulation of the heart’s electrical activity & it is also utilised in cases of pulseless ventricular tachycardia or shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. 

Lidocaine 

This drug is utilised for the stabilization of electrical activity of heart. It is also beneficial in ventricular arrhythmias. 

The ACLS protocols have replaced amiodarone with lidocaine. 

use-of-intervention-with-a-procedure-in-treating-cardiac-arrest

The intervention includes advanced life support, chest compressions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and utilising automated external defibrillator. Use manual defibrillators for performing advanced defibrillation. By continually monitoring heart rhythm, be on watch for coordinated shocks to treat specific arrhythmias. 

use-of-management-in-cardiac-arrest

Recognizing the symptoms of cardiac arrest, like improper breathing, unresponsiveness, and pulse. It’s crucial to call for emergency medical services. Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as quickly. Utilisation of automated external defibrillator is required. Providing advanced life support is crucial. 

Post-Resuscitation Care 

This includes advanced airway care and medication administration. Recuperation and rehabilitation to improve both physical and mental capabilities. 

Medication

 

levarterenol 

Initial dose: 8 mcg/min to 12 mcg/min intravenous infusion, titrate to the effect

Maintenance dose: 2 mcg/min to 4 mcg/min intravenous infusion



 

levarterenol 

Initial dose: 0.05 mcg/min to 0.1 mcg/min intravenous infusion, titrate to the effect

Maintenance dose: 1 mcg/min to 2 mcg/min intravenous infusion



 

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Cardiac arrest

Updated : April 11, 2024

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The patients who are suffering from cardiac disease have a sudden decrease of heart function, which might occur sudden or after other symptoms and is potentially fatal if it is left uncured. The causes include irregular heartbeat that brought on by disturbances in the electrical impulses. When the heart stopped to function, cardiac arrest occurs. It is a medical condition which is characterized by severely disabled or fatal. 

The epidemiological data shows different populations have different rates. This can affect people of all ages, both children and adult individuals. The survival rate is enhanced with start of CPR. Higher rates of bystander CPR use are associated with increased cardiac attack survival rates in all populations. 

The main cause of the cardiac arrests includes blockages in the coronary arteries & which is followed with arryhthmia. The risk of cardiac arrest is increased by abnormalities in the blood & electrolyte levels. The larger blood vessels are directly affected by serious trauma. 

To increase survival chances, commencement of CPR should be started as early as possible. It’s important to maintaining blood circulation and oxygenation with the help of rescue breathing equipment and chest compressions. The use of automated external defibrillators is significant in cases of cardiac arrest. 

Age Group 

Due to increasing cardiac disease risk factors, those 45-64 years old are more susceptible. Higher prevalence is observed in persons over 50. As people age, their risk increases, mainly for seniors who are 65 and above. There is an elevated possibility that many comorbidities may contribute to cardiac incidents. 

Breathing assessment 

Pulse Assessment test 

Pupillary response test 

check for external Signs of Trauma 

Rupturing of the plaque is the result of cardiac attacks and blood clots that results in cardiac arrest. The risk factors are enhanced for the individuals who previously suffered with cardiac attack. The possible cause is also arrhythmias that harm the muscle of the heart eventually. The function of the heart is influenced by various disease which elevates the risk factors for cardiac arrest like cardiomyopathies. 

The presentation of the cardiac arrest is interruption of the regular breathing patterns. Gasping breaths can also be observed. These are the vital parameters which is significant for the heart evaluation. It is also affected by a lack of pulse & lack of oxygen supply that can cause the skin to turn blue or pale. It might cause pupils to dilate. 

Imbalances of electrolytes 

Cardiomyopathies 

Arrhythmias 

Coronary Artery Disease 

The CPR is the major step that is performed as first treatment parameter. 

Chest compressions can also be performed as second step with appropriate pace and depth. 

The use of automated external defibrillator is suggested. Airway management and other treatments, use early advanced life support is also crucial in this case. 

Cardiology, General

It is important to ensure the accessibility of emergency services. Make sure EMS is easily available by publishing phone numbers that are easily visible. Place automated external defibrillators in places with an excessive traffic. 

The CPR training programs are significant for common public approach. 

Ensure to adopt healthy heart habits to promote good functionality of heart. 

Starting health related wellness programmes is good choice. Promote good eating, emphasise quitting smoking, and incorporate physical exercise. Motivate people to eat healthily in restaurants, offices, and educational settings. It’s important to promote routine physical examinations and screenings to control risk factors. 

Cardiology, General

Epinephrine  

This drug is beneficial in improving heart rate and myocardial contractility. It promotes vasoconstriction, hence enhancing supply of blood to the essential organs. It is used to increase coronary perfusion after cardiac arrest. 

Vasopressin 

This drug is a choice for improving blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction. 

Cardiology, General

Amiodarone 

The drug is useful in regulation of the heart’s electrical activity & it is also utilised in cases of pulseless ventricular tachycardia or shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. 

Lidocaine 

This drug is utilised for the stabilization of electrical activity of heart. It is also beneficial in ventricular arrhythmias. 

The ACLS protocols have replaced amiodarone with lidocaine. 

Cardiology, General

The intervention includes advanced life support, chest compressions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and utilising automated external defibrillator. Use manual defibrillators for performing advanced defibrillation. By continually monitoring heart rhythm, be on watch for coordinated shocks to treat specific arrhythmias. 

Cardiology, General

Recognizing the symptoms of cardiac arrest, like improper breathing, unresponsiveness, and pulse. It’s crucial to call for emergency medical services. Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as quickly. Utilisation of automated external defibrillator is required. Providing advanced life support is crucial. 

Post-Resuscitation Care 

This includes advanced airway care and medication administration. Recuperation and rehabilitation to improve both physical and mental capabilities. 

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