Adult advanced cardiac life support

Article Abstract:

Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is usually provided to individuals in cardiac arrest by physicians or emergency medical technicians. It is administered after basic life support is established, which usually involves CPR. Endotracheal intubation, which involves passing a tube down the patient's windpipe, keeps the airway open and allows the rescuer to provide supplemental oxygen. Mechanical devices such as the chest compressor and CPR vest, may help maintain blood circulation. The patient should be placed on an ECG monitor so the rescuer can detect arrhythmias. An intravenous line should be placed in a peripheral vein for the administration of drugs. Drugs used to regulate the heart's rhythm and rate include lidocaine, procainamide, bretylium tosylate, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and magnesium. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and dobutamine can be used to maintain blood pressure. Defibrillation can be used to restore the heart's rhythm, and pacemakers can be used to maintain it.

Usage

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Ensuring effectiveness of communitywide emergency cardiac care

Article Abstract:

The survival of individuals who are in cardiac arrest depends on a series of actions that must occur relatively quickly. The first occurs when a bystander calls 911 to activate the emergency medical system (EMS). Many EMS dispatchers can give the caller instructions for performing CPR, which is the second critical action. CPR should be started as soon as possible after the witnessed arrest. The third and most crucial action is to use a defibrillator to restore the individual's heartbeat as soon as possible. Many ambulances now carry defibrillators that can be used in the field. The fourth action is providing advanced cardiac life support, which includes administering oxygen and drugs to stabilize the individual. All communities should begin collecting data on the number of individuals treated and their outcomes. This requires standardizing terminology and developing forms that can be used to quickly record information.

Standards

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Special resuscitation situations

Article Abstract:

Most resuscitation guidelines cover the treatment of cardiac arrest in individuals who have had a heart attack. However, stroke, hypothermia, near-drowning, trauma, electric shock and pregnancy can all lead to cardiac arrest. Rescuers must be prepared to deal with elevated blood pressure, seizures and elevated intracranial pressure in stoke victims. CPR should be administered to victims of hypothermia, but defibrillation may not be successful until their core temperature rises above 86 degrees F. Victims of near-drowning will be suffering from oxygen deficiency, and should be given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until they can be given advanced cardiac life support. Resuscitating individuals whose cardiac arrest was caused by extensive trauma may be difficult. Victims of electric shock are often young and capable of recovery. Standard resuscitation should also be provided to pregnant women who are in cardiac arrest.

Complications and side effects, Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Wounds and injuries, Injuries, Hypothermia, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Drowning, Electric shock, Electric shock injuries

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