What cardiac arrest looks like

[Burritomedic1127]

http://www.ems12lead.com/2014/11/11/sudden-cardiac-arrest/

Interesting article/videos about sudden cardiac arrest with pts having tachypneic agonal respirations and posturing while in cardiac arrest. Some videos are painful to watch because of care or lack there of but good info

 

[wanderingmedic]

Anyone understand the physiology behind the seizure-like activity following a cardiac arrest?

 

[Ewok Jerky]

Just a guess but its probably nonfunctional misfiring of irritable hypoxic peripheral nerves. I wouldn't think it would be from a central (CNS) cause.

 

[Ewok Jerky]

Also, cool link.

 

[Carlos Danger]

http://www.ems12lead.com/2014/11/11/sudden-cardiac-arrest/

Interesting article/videos about sudden cardiac arrest with pts having tachypneic agonal respirations and posturing while in cardiac arrest. Some videos are painful to watch because of care or lack there of but good info

Excellent article, thanks for posting it.

I remember as a new EMT, being a little freaked out at how people looked and acted immediately before and after a cardiac arrest. Very different than I had imagined as a layperson.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Anyone understand the physiology behind the seizure-like activity following a cardiac arrest?

Good question, my guess is one or a combination of:

• Subcortical disinhibition due to hypoxia, similar to the myoclonic movements you see after etomidate is given

• Anoxic depolarization due to cerebral hypoxia; basically a hypoxic seizure

 

[zzyzx]

The first video is most interesting. I honestly would not have thought that she was in cardiac arrest if I had been there. Her "agonal" breathing wasn't really agonal at first. In fact her deep breathing was keeping some blood flow going to her brain, which is likely why she was able to keep breathing for so long. I suppose this is similar to cough CPR.

 

[Shishkabob]

Anyone understand the physiology behind the seizure-like activity following a cardiac arrest?

Arrhythmia causing decreased blood flow to the brain which causes hypoxia which causes the brain to ''freak out'' and have seizure-like activity, much like a syncopal episode can sometimes present with / as a seizure.

 

[Brandon O]

Thanks for the endorsement! IMO this is an important one (ie not just a curiosity) due to the frequent failure to recognize SCA in a timely manner... in laypersons and providers alike.

 

[FltMedicRob]

Wow, that's a fantastic article. Just forwarded it to our Opps Director and will use it as a training hour for our new medics (and the old ones if I get my way).

 

[YoungMedic]

Great article, thanks for sharing