Understanding Electromechanical Dissociation in Cardiac Emergencies

Core Questions:

1. Describe your history and physical exam in the patient being actively resuscitated.
2. Discuss the process of deterioration to cardiac arrest with respiratory failure and cardiac obstruction.
3. List 6 aspects of optimal CPR.
4. What medications have been shown to improve outcomes in cardiac arrest?
5. List 8 differential diagnoses for PEA arrest (See Table 8.4)
6. What is electromechanical dissociation (EMD) and how does it differ from pseudo electromechanical dissociation (pseudo EMD)?
7. What is echo-guided life support (EGLS) and how is it used?
   1. Carotid or femoral pulse
   2. CPP
   3. Arterial relaxation (diastolic) pressure
   4. PETCO2
   5. SCVO2
8. What are your targets during CPR for the following metrics? (See Table 8.3)

Wisecracks:

1. What is cough CPR and when should it be used?
2. What is the only antidysrhythmic shown to improve rates of VF conversion to a perfusing rhythm?
3. What is the minimum coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) is needed to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
4. What is the triad of cardiac arrest?