Advanced Cardiac Life Support

In an acute care situation it is important to recognize and initiate early ACLS algorithms. Early/effective CPR and defibrillation when indicated has been shown to decrease mortality. As well, working effectively as a team and concurrent management is vital. Please see airway information under Trauma.

Core Principles

 * It is important to keep up to date with advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) recommendations
 * Promptly defibrillate a patient with ventricular fibrillation, or pulseless or symptomatic ventricular tachycardia
 * Diagnose serious arrhythmias and treat according to ACLS principles
 * Suspenct and promptly treat reversible causes of arrhythmias (think H's and T's) - see below
 * Ensure adequate ventilation and secure airway in a timely fashion
 * In patients requiring resusitation assess circumstances to help you decide when to STOP (e.g. not witnessed, living wills, no bystander CPR, no shock delivered, time to CPR, initial arrest rhythm, time to defibrillation, comorbidities, return of spontaneous circulation at some point in resus
 * Important to discuss code status on all admissions to hospital
 * Important to discuss end of life/code status with patients and family members in office
 * Important during a resusitation to attend to family members

Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm




Arrhythmia

 * See ECG presentation in Google Drive Under Advanced Cardiac Life Support folder
 * Check out Life in the Fast Lane for more examples
 * Test your knowledge: http://ecg.bidmc.harvard.edu/maven/mavenmain.asp

Bradyarrhythmias




Tachyarrhmias







 * See Atrial fibrillation**

Pediatric Resusitation

 * Use resources as needed: e.g. Broselow tape, pedistat app

Neonatal Resusitation




Resources
http://www.innosols.com/ACLS%20Class%20Packet.pdf

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/122/18_suppl_3/S876.figures-only

http://emsseo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/EKG%20Flash%20Chart.pdf

http://www.cps.ca/uploads/nrp/MedicationsTable.pdf