Refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) is very difficult to manage. Up until recently, emergency providers were limited to defibrillation and delivery of high quality CPR as well as amiodarone administration. However,
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Tagged ‘Resuscitation’
Journal Review
Esmolol in Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation
Journal Review
NaHCO3 in Cardiac Arrest
As with all medications in cardiac arrest (i.e. epinephrine, amiodarone) the benefits of sodium bicarbonate administration have been discussed and debated for decades. While it is clear that sodium bicarbonate can play a role in resuscitation of arrest due to hyperkalemia,
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Journal Review
Balanced Solutions vs 0.9% Saline in Critical Care (SMART)
Although 0.9% sodium chloride (“normal” saline) is traditionally the most commonly used intravenous fluid, it is unclear if “normal” saline is the best fluid. Data from prior studies suggests 0.9% saline use may result in hyperchloremic acidosis.
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Journal Review
ADRENAL – Corticosteroids in Septic Shock
During physiological stress, hypotension, or severe infection, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. The hypothalamus secretes corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulating the release of adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary.
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Core
Petition to Retire the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines
This post is a multi-physician, multi-specialty petition detailing significant concerns with the surviving sepsis campaign guidelines.
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Core
Topics in Post-ROSC Care
This post explores controversial topics in post-ROSC care including the use of NCHCT, hemodynamic goals and cardiac catheterization
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Journal Review
IO vs. IV in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)
This Journal Review is cross-posted on REBEL EM.
Placement of vascular access for administration of resuscitation drugs and fluids is a common procedure in the management of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
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Journal Review
Apneic Oxygenation in the ICU
Hypoxemia is the most common complication of endotracheal intubation in the critically ill and the strongest risk factor for periprocedural cardiac arrest and death. The traditional approach to avoiding desaturation during intubation is preoxygenation.
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