Our primary focus immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is aimed at ensuring adequate perfusion of the patient’s vital organs and decreasing cerebral damage.

Post-arrest goals for O2 saturation, ETCO2, and BP/MAP.

Indications for use of an antiarrhythmic after ROSC.

Determining which antiarrhythmic to use post cardiac arrest.

Administration of Amiodarone or Lidocaine to control ventricular ectopy after ROSC.

The use of Amiodarone post arrest if no antiarrhythmics were administered prior to obtaining ROSC.

Links to other medical podcasts that cover antiarrhythmics and other ACLS-related topics are on the Pod Resource page at PassACLS.com.

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Discover medical podcasts with CE at https://conveymed.io

Hydrogen ions is on one of the Hs in ACLS's H&T reversible causes of cardiac arrest.

When considering hydrogen ions as a cause, what we’re looking at is the patient’s pH, or acid/base balance, and conditions that affect it.

The body's normal pH.

Using patient history, ABGs, & labs to determine acidosis or alkalosis.

Common conditions/causes that may lead us to suspect acidosis.

Common conditions/causes that may lead us to suspect alkalosis.

Correcting acidosis by changing the rate of ventilations.

The indications, dose, and considerations for use of Sodium Bicarbonate.

Treatment of alkalosis depends on the type (metabolic or respiratory) and is aimed at correcting the underlying cause.

Other podcasts that cover acid/base balance and conditions that cause acidosis or alkalosis can be found on the Pod Resource Page at PassACLS.com.

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Your support helps cover the monthly cost of software and podcast & website hosting so that others can benefit from these ACLS tips as well. Donations via Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor are appreciated.

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Being the team leader during a cardiac arrest is challenging. Using an algorithm helps by standardizing & prioritizing our interventions using an If/Then methodology.

Review of BLS steps for determining if rescue breathing or CPR is needed and use of an AED for patients in cardiac arrest.

If the patient is in a non-shockable rhythm on the ECG such as PEA or asystole, we will go down the right side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

If the patient is in a shockable rhythm on the ECG such as V-Fib or V-Tach, we will go down the left side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

An example of a code's flow for shockable rhythms when an antiarrhythmic such as Amiodarone or Lidocaine is administered.

We will follow the algorithm until the patient has ROSC or we call the code.

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Other Pass ACLS episodes mentioned:

Objective Measures of Good CPR at https://passacls.com/bls/objective-measures-of-good-cpr

For patients exhibiting symptoms consistent with myocardial ischemia, Aspirin is the first medications we should consider along with morphine, oxygen, and nitroglycerine; if indicated & safe.

Aspirin's mechanism of action & benefits for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients.

Contraindications and considerations for aspirin’s use.

The dose and route of administration of aspirin for ACS patients.

The use of aspirin in the ACLS Stroke algorithm.

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To pass ACLS, you will need to be able to identify common rhythms on a monitor during your mega code and ECG strips on your written exam.

If you don't normally monitor patients as part of your job, I suggest two things:

1. Find a system for ECG interpretation that works well for you; and
2. Practice reading ECGs every day for a few weeks before your class.

Review of normal ECG morphology of P wave, QRS complex, and T wave in lead II.

Characteristics of first degree heart block.

Characteristics of third degree (complete) AV block.

Treatment of unstable patients in third degree block following the ACLS Bradycardia algorithm.

Special considerations for use of Atropine when patients are in a third degree heart block.

The use of TCP, Dopamine, & Epinephrine drip for unstable bradycardic patients refractory to Atropine.

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Your support helps cover the monthly cost of software and podcast & website hosting so that others can benefit from these ACLS tips as well. Donations via Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor are appreciated.

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Practice ECGs at Dialed Medics: https://dialedmedics.com/

In the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm, we should administer an antiarrhythmic medication to patients in V-Fib or pulseless ventricular tachycardia approximately two minutes after the first dose of epinephrine.

The two first-line ACLS antiarrhythmics that are generally used are Amiodarone and Lidocaine.

Review of Lidocaine dosing and administration to patients in persistent V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.

Review of Amiodarone dosing and administration to patients in persistent V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.

Use of antiarrhythmic infusions post-cardiac arrest to suppress ventricular ectopy.

Amiodarone use & dosing for stable patients in V-Tach with a pulse.

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Your support helps cover the monthly cost of software and podcast & website hosting so that others can benefit from these ACLS tips as well. Donations via Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor are appreciated.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

The tongue is the most common airway obstruction in an unconscious patient.

For patients with a decreased level of consciousness that can't control their airway, yet have an intact gag reflex, the nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) should be used as an alternative to the oropharyngeal airway (OPA).

Examples of when a NPA should be considered.

Contraindications and considerations for nasal airway insertion.

Measuring a nasal airway for appropriate length and diameter.

Insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway into the right vs left nostril.

Patients with a NPA in place can receive supplemental O2, be ventilated with a BVM, have ETCO2 monitored, and have their upper airway suctioned as needed.

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Your support helps cover the monthly cost of software and podcast & website hosting so that others can benefit from these ACLS tips as well. Donations via Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor are appreciated.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

When blood, or other fluids, accumulate in the sac around the heart it’s called a cardiac tamponade or pericardial tamponade.

The effects of tamponade on the electrical system and chambers of the heart.

Cardiac tamponade can be acute or chronic and caused by traumatic, iatrogenic, or pathological etiologies.

Common traumatic events, medical procedures, and diseases that can result in a pericardial tamponade.

Signs & symptoms of cardiac tamponade.

Treatment of cardiac tamponade with pericardiocentesis.

For additional information on cardiac tamponade, check out the Pod Resources page at PassACLS.com.

Connect with me:

Website: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Give Back & Help Others:

Your support helps cover the monthly cost of software and podcast & website hosting so that others can benefit from these ACLS tips as well. Donations via Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor are appreciated.

Good luck with your ACLS class!