Archive

Medical Category: Resuscitation

Occult Causes of Non-Response to Vasopressors

Intro: Vasoactive substances are powerful therapeutic medications that can boost a patient’s blood pressure and perfusion to target organs. They are often used in resuscitation to support tissue perfusion though their benefits are mostly unproven and may be harmful in ...

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Resuscitation

Targeted Temperature Management in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: 33°C or 36°C?

Background: In 2002, the New England Journal of Medicine published two studies that changed the management of post-cardiac arrest patients by showing improved outcomes in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (32°C-34°C) for at least 24 hours. (Bernard 2002, Hypothermia 2002).  The ...

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Resuscitation

Is Amiodarone Dead?

Background: Amiodarone is a class III antidysrhythmic first released for human use in 1962. As with other drugs in this class, amiodarone acts by blocking potassium channels thus prolonging the action potential. This, in turn, leads to a lengthening of depolarization ...

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CardiovascularResuscitation

In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The First 15 Minutes

Background: Over the past few years there has been a shift in cardiac arrest from the mantra of ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to CAB (Circulation, Airway, Breathing).  There has been increased emphasis on circulation and a de-emphasis of airway management ...

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Resuscitation

Post Intubation Hypotension: The AH SHITE mnemonic

You have just secured the endotracheal tube following an uneventful intubation of a moderately ill  patient in your emergency department. They had a normal pre-intubation blood pressure.  As you are calling the admit in to the ICU the patient’s nurse tells you ...

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Resuscitation

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