ALS Recertification Course
Standardised CPR for adults Update on clinical changes to resuscitation guidelines Re-evaluation of knowledge and practical skills acquisition Assessment ALS recertification course learning outcomes
ALS recertification course format Manual Lectures Skill stations Cardiac Arrest Simulation (CAS) training
ALS recertification course assessment MCQ Practical skills (continuous assessment) Airway management Initial assessment and resuscitation Cardiac Arrest Simulation (CASTest) Provider certificate valid for 4 years
Causes and Prevention of Cardiac Arrest
Early recognition of the deteriorating patient Most arrests are predictable Deterioration prior to % of cardiac arrests Hypoxia and hypotension are common antecedents Delays in referral to higher levels of care
Outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest VF/VTNon-VF/VT Number of patients570 (18%)2,614 (82%) ROSC > 20 min385 (68%)689 (26%) Survival to hospital discharge251 (44%)179 (7%) Source: UK National Cardiac Arrest Audit (NCAA) 2010 No national data for Australia Pockets of data report similar results Development of Clinical Indicators/Audits by Australian Council on Healthcare Standards ( ACHS) and Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) will provide future results
Recognition of the deteriorating patient - Early Warning Scoring Systems Example of early warning scoring (EWS) system* * From Prytherch et al. ViEWS—Towards a national early warning score for detecting adult in-patient deterioration. Resuscitation. 2010;81(8):932-7
Recognition of the deteriorating patient - Early Warning Scoring Systems Example Escalation Protocol based on early warning score (EWS)
The ABCDE approach to the deteriorating patient A irway B reathing C irculation D isability E xposure
ALS Algorithm
Patient response Open airway Check for normal breathing Caution agonal breathing Check circulation Monitoring To confirm cardiac arrest… Unresponsive? Not breathing or only occasional gasps
Cardiac arrest confirmed Unresponsive? Not breathing or only occasional gasps Call resuscitation team
Cardiac arrest confirmed Unresponsive? Not breathing or only occasional gasps Call resuscitation team CPR 30:2 Attach defibrillator / monitor Minimise interruptions
Chest compression 30:2 Compressions Centre of chest Min 5cm depth/one third total Approximately 100min -1 -About 2 per second (not faster than 120 min -1 ) Maintain high quality compressions with minimal interruptions Continuous compressions once airway secured Switch CPR provider every 2 min cycle to avoid fatigue
Adult ALS Algorithm
Shockable and Non-Shockable MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS Charge START Defibrillator Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / Pulseless VT) Non-Shockable (PEA / Asystole) CPR
Uncoordinated electrical activity Coarse/fine Exclude artefact Movement Electrical interference Shockable (VF) Shockable (VF) Bizarre irregular waveform No recognisable QRS complexes Random frequency and amplitude
Shockable (VT) Shockable (VT) Polymorphic VT Torsade de pointes Monomorphic VT Broad complex rhythm Rapid rate Constant QRS morphology
Shockable (VF / VT) Shout “(Compressions Continue) Stand Clear” Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT) MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Shockable (VT) CHARGE DEFIBRILLATOR Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT)
Shockable (VT) Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT) Shout “Hands Off” CHARGE DEFIBRILLATOR
Shockable (VF / VT) Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT) Confirmed Hands Off “I’m Safe”
Shockable (VF / VT) DELIVER SHOCK Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT)
Shockable (VF / VT) IMMEDIATELY RESTART CPR Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT)
Shockable (VF / VT) MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / VT) IMMEDIATELY RESTART CPR MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Vary with manufacturer Check local equipment Defibrillator energy 200 Joules unless manufacturer demonstrates better outcomes with alternate energy level If unsure, deliver 200 Joules DO NOT DELAY SHOCK Energy levels for defibrillators on this course… Defibrillation energies
Special Circumstances Well perfused and oxygenated patient pre-arrest Presenting arrest shockable Three stacked shocks First shock delivered within 20 seconds of onset of arrest Precordial thump Pulseless VT only Defibrillator unavailable Delivered within 20 seconds of onset of arrest
2 nd and subsequent shocks 200 J biphasic 360 J monophasic Give adrenaline and after 2 nd shock during CPR then alternate loops thereafter Give amiodarone after 3 rd shock during CPR If VF / VT persists CPR for 2 min During CPR Adrenaline 1 mg IV CPR for 2 min During CPR Amiodarone 300 mg IV Deliver 2 nd shock Deliver 3 rd shock
Non-Shockable Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / Pulseless VT) Non-Shockable (PEA / Asystole) MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Non-Shockable Assess rhythm Shockable (VF / Pulseless VT) Non-Shockable (PEA / Asystole) MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS IN CHEST COMPRESSIONS DUMP/DISCHARG E ENERGY
Absent ventricular (QRS) activity Atrial activity (P waves) may persist Rarely a straight line trace Adrenaline 1 mg IV then every alternate loop Non-shockable (Asystole) Non-Shockable (Asystole)
Clinical features of cardiac arrest ECG normally associated with an output Adrenaline 1 mg IV then every alternate loop Non-shockable (Asystole) Non-Shockable (PEA)
During CPR Airway adjuncts (LMA / ETT) Oxygen Waveform capnography IV / IO access Plan actions before interrupting compressions (e.g. charge manual defibrillator) Drugs Shockable Adrenaline 1 mg after 2ndshock (then every 2nd loop) Amiodarone 300 mg after 3rd shock Non Shockable Adrenaline 1 mg immediately (then every 2nd loop)
Airway and ventilation Secure airway: Supraglottic airway device Tracheal tube Do not attempt intubation unless trained and competent to do so Once airway secured, if possible, do not interrupt chest compressions for ventilation Avoid hyperventilation Waveform capnography
Vascular access Peripheral versus central veins Intraosseous
Reversible causes Hyperthermia Hypokalaemia/metabolic
Hypoxia Ensure patent airway Give high-flow supplemental oxygen Avoid hyperventilation
Hypovolaemia Seek evidence of hypovolaemia History Examination -Internal haemorrhage -External haemorrhage -Check surgical drains Control haemorrhage If hypovolaemia suspected give intravenous fluids
Hypo/hyperkalaemia and metabolic disorders Near patient testing for K + and glucose Check latest laboratory results Hyperkalaemia Calcium chloride Insulin/dextrose Hypokalaemia/ Hypomagnesaemia Electrolyte supplementation
Hypothermia Rare if patient is an in-patient Use low reading thermometer Treat with active rewarming techniques Consider cardiopulmonary bypass
Hyperthermia Heat stroke can resemble septic shock Core temp >40.6 C Rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy issues Consider Drug toxicity, MDMA, malignant hyperthermia, thyroid storm Rapid cooling to 39 C (similar approaches/techniques to hypothermia) Large fluid volumes Correct electrolyte abnormalities/acidosis Medications: No effective medications for heat stroke Dantrolene for some anaesthetic/MDMA reactions
Tension pneumothorax Check tube position if intubated Clinical signs (some/all not be present peri-arrest) Decreased breath sounds Hyper-resonant percussion note Tracheal deviation Initial treatment with needle decompression or thoracostomy Follow up with Chest Tube
Tamponade, cardiac Difficult to diagnose without echocardiography Consider if penetrating chest trauma or after cardiac surgery Also: -Recent Myocardial Infarct -Blunt Chest Trauma -Procedural – Cardiac Catheter/Pacing Wire etc Treat with needle pericardiocentesis or resuscitative thoracotomy
Toxins Rare unless evidence of deliberate overdose Presenting history may give clues Review drug chart Toxicology screens take time
Thrombosis If high clinical probability for PE consider fibrinolytic therapy If fibrinolytic therapy given then consideration for continuing CPR for up to min before halting resuscitation attempts
Ultrasound In skilled hands may identify reversible causes In particular Tamponade, Tension Pneumothorax and Thrombosis Obtain images during rhythm checks Do not interrupt CPR
Immediate post-cardiac arrest treatment
Resuscitation team Roles planned in advance Identify team leader Importance of non-technical skills Task management Team working Situational awareness Decision making Structured communication
Any questions?
The ALS algorithm Importance of high quality chest compressions Treatment of shockable and non-shockable rhythms Administration of drugs during cardiac arrest Potentially reversible causes of cardiac arrest Role of resuscitation team Summary
Peri-Arrest
Bradycardia algorithm Includes rates inappropriately slow for haemodynamic state Interim measures: Atropine mcg IV repeat to maximum of 3 mg Isoprenaline 5 mcg min -1 IV Adrenaline 2-10 mcg min -1 IV Alternative drugs * OR Transcutaneous pacing Interim measures: Atropine mcg IV repeat to maximum of 3 mg Isoprenaline 5 mcg min -1 IV Adrenaline 2-10 mcg min -1 IV Alternative drugs * OR Transcutaneous pacing
Tachycardia algorithm (with pulse)
Tachycardia algorithm
Stable broad-complex tachycardia
Stable narrow-complex tachycardia
Any questions?
Summary Modifications to ALS are based upon current evidence Focus is on standardised CPR for adults
Advanced Life Support Recertification Course Slide set All rights reserved © Australian Resuscitation Council and Resuscitation Council (UK) 2010