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Cardiac Arrest

Jacquelyn Kulinski, MD and Muhammad Hammad, M.D. Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • The absence of effective mechanical cardiac activity leading to tissue hypoperfusion and cell death

  • This section is not a substitute for an American Heart Association (AHA)-approved a...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Absence of pulses in large arteries or on arterial line

  • Apnea or agonal breathing

  • Loss of consciousness

HISTORY

  • Witnessed versus unwitnessed

  • Approximate downtime

  • Initial resuscitation efforts and ...

TREATMENT

  • C-A-B (circulation, airway, breathing). Use compressions and then check airway and breathing.

  • Prompt initiation of high-quality CPR, particularly chest compressions (in adults, target of 100-...

ONGOING CARE

  • Most patients who present in arrest but who achieve ROSC will need admission to the intensive care unit.

  • In the first few minutes to hours, the most immediate threat is cardiovascular coll...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

  • American Heart Association. Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19. 2021. Available at https://cpr.heart...

SEE ALSO

CODES

ICD10

  • I46.9 Cardiac arrest, cause unspecified

  • I46.2 Cardiac arrest due to underlying cardiac condition

  • I46.8 Cardiac arrest due to other underlying condition

SNOMED

  • 410429000 cardiac arrest (disorder...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • C-A-B replaces ABCs for the priority of approach to a patient with a suspected cardiac arrest.

  • Prompt initiation of CPR, particularly chest compressions (push hard, push fast, and don’t...

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