Table of Contents
What are the signs of post-cardiac arrest syndrome?
Clinical manifestations of post–cardiac arrest brain injury include coma, seizures, myoclonus, various degrees of neurocognitive dysfunction (ranging from memory deficits to persistent vegetative state), and brain death (Table 1).
What do you do after return of spontaneous circulation?
The patient should be cooled to 32–36°C as soon as possible after ROSC using whatever technique is available in your institution, and kept cool for 24 hours. Control shivering as needed with sedation or paralysis and consider a non-contrast head CT to exclude intracranial hemorrhage.
What should you monitor after cardiac arrest?
Continuous cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, capnography and NIBP (non-invasive blood pressure) monitoring should be initiated. This provides critical information on tissue oxygenation and perfusion and helps guide further resuscitative care.
What is post-cardiac arrest syndrome?
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome is a clinical state that involves global brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, macrocirculatory dysfunction, increased vulnerability to infection, and persistent precipitating pathology (ie, the cause of the arrest).
How long does it take to recover from sudden cardiac arrest?
Think about the recovery process (from the initial SCA to 3 to 6 months after discharge) from the patient’s perspective.
What causes return of spontaneous circulation?
Someone is considered to have sustained return of spontaneous circulation when circulation persists and cardiopulmonary resuscitation has ceased for at least 20 consecutive minutes. Return of spontaneous circulation can be achieved through cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation.
How long does it take for brain damage to occur after cardiac arrest?
When cardiac arrest occurs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be started within two minutes. After three minutes, global cerebral ischemia —the lack of blood flow to the entire brain—can lead to brain injury that gets progressively worse. By nine minutes, severe and permanent brain damage is likely.
What are the 4 signs of cardiorespiratory arrest?
Signs of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and drastic and include: Sudden collapse. No pulse. No breathing….When to see a doctor
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Heart palpitations.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
- Unexplained wheezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fainting or near fainting.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness.
What do you need to know about post cardiac arrest care?
Therefore, effective post–cardiac arrest care consists of identification and treatment of the precipitating cause of cardiac arrest combined with the assessment and mitigation of ischemia-reperfusion injury to multiple organ systems. Care must be tailored to the particular disease and dysfunction that affect each patient.
Can a person regain spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest?
This scientific statement outlines current understanding and identifies knowledge gaps in the pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of patients who regain spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest.
What happens to the brain after cardiac arrest?
Following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest, the challenge is to institute measures that ensure a higher likelihood of neurologically intact survival. Regardless of the cause of collapse, multiple organ systems may be affected secondary to post-cardiac arrest syndrome.
How are cardiac arrest patients treated after ROSC?
Management of cardiac arrest patients following ROSC is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. All hospitals should establish standardised protocols for the initiation and management of bundled post-ROSC care, which may eventually lead to improved patient outcomes.