Critical Care Scenarios Episode 83: Cardiac arrest with Scott Weingart
Jan 8, 2025
Join Scott Weingart, an emergency medicine ace and the mind behind the Emcrit blog, as he dives into the intricacies of cardiac arrest management. He emphasizes the importance of specialized leadership and effective team dynamics for better survival rates. Discover advanced techniques for vascular access and the evolving debate between manual versus mechanical CPR. Weingart also highlights the critical decisions that come into play during resuscitation, advocating for tailored strategies that improve patient outcomes. A must-listen for anyone in critical care!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ACLS Is Just the Foundation
- ACLS is the foundational minimum care in cardiac arrest, but clinicians should build advanced practices beyond it.
- Immediate CPR and rapid defibrillation pads placement to identify shockable rhythms is critical before focusing on airway.
Co-Led Code Leadership Model
- Implement a co-led code model with separate nurse and physician leaders for better coordination.
- Nurse code leader handles synchronous tasks freeing the doctor to focus on high-level decisions.
Vascular Access Strategy
- Prioritize rapid vascular access during cardiac arrest using IO or peripheral IV; central venous access is optional but recommended.
- Femoral central access is preferred for skill maintenance and eCPR potential; maintain sterile technique as much as possible.