ACLS review

211.  What are the moist common initial rhythms in witnessed sudden cardiac arrest?

VF or rapid pulseless VT are the most common rhythms observed in witnessed sudden cardiac arrest.  When pulseless VT is present, it will rapidly deteriorate to VF and VF will deteriorate to asystole if not treated.

212. What is the only effective treatment for VF?

The only effective treatment for VF is electrical defibrillation.  When VF is present, CPR can provide blood flow and oxygen to the myocardium but it cannot restore an organized rhythm.

213.  How does defibrillation convert VF/VT to an organized rhythm?

Defibrillation stuns the heart and briefly terminates the electrical activity, including VF/Vt, so that the normal pacemaker may eventually resume electrical activity and return to profusing heart rhythm.

214.  What are agonal respirations?

Agonal respirations are slow, gasping-like respirations that may be present during the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.  Agonal respirations are not adequate enough to oxygenate the patient and thus require intervention with positive pressure ventilations.   Additionally the patient may not respond and has no pulse and requires CPR.

215. When analyzing a patient’s heart rhythm with an AED, why is it important not to touch the patient?

Any movement will interfere with the rhythm analysis which may lead to an inappropriate shock or failure to defibrillate a shockable rhythm.


Reviewed 2/28/16