Podcast 166 - Transcutaneous Pacing & False Capture

The conversation is about a paper on false electrical capture and pre-hospital transcutaneous pacing by paramedics. The guests, Tom Boutilet, Josh Kimbrell, and Judah Kreinbrook, discuss their research findings and the implications for paramedics. They conducted a retrospective study and found that paramedics often mistakenly believe they have electrical capture when they do not. They emphasize the importance of confirming electrical capture before assuming mechanical capture. They also discuss the challenges of pulse palpation and the need for more rigorous research in EMS and ED settings. The conversation discusses the challenges and considerations in transcutaneous pacing, specifically focusing on the verification of mechanical capture. The speakers explore the use of various methods to confirm mechanical capture, such as feeling for a pulse, using pulse oximetry, and utilizing ultrasound. They also discuss the difficulty of accurately assessing mechanical capture and the potential for false electrical capture. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the transfer of pacing from one device to another and the importance of verifying capture during the process.