Cardiac management - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)

FM/G47 - Cardiac management

Skill

FM/BS-224 - Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate

Skill

After identifying a patient with no heart rate

Perform CPR for at least 30 seconds
Check pulse
If no heart rate, repeat

Checking a patient's pulse whilst someone else is performing CPR or checking pulse on a limb with a tourniquet placed will provide an erroneous reading.

Skill

FM/BS-169 - Use an AED(-X) to restore a normal heart rate

Skill

Attach the AED pads to the patient
Shock the patient after hearing “Shock advised” and the AED(-X) is charged, indicated by a “beep” sound
If first shock is ineffective, use appropriate medication to support resuscitation FM/BG-201 - Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X)

Guide

FM/BG-201 - Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X)

Guide

When utilising an AED or AED-X for resuscitation purposes, it is advised to follow the following procedure:

Place AED(-X) pads on the patient's chest
Connect Vitals Monitor to one of the patient's hands
Shock using the AED
If patient's heart rate is not returning, administer epinephrine FM/BS-220 - Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm
Shock using the AED
If patient's heart rate is not returning, administer amiodarone FM/BS-221 - Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm
Shock using the AED
If patient's heart rate is not returning, administer lidocaine FM/BS-222 - Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm
Shock using the AED

If by step 9 the patient's heart rate has not returned, do not administer any further heart rate medicines at this point.

This process is stopped as soon as a continuous heart rate is detected.

Skill

FM/BS-220 - Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm

Skill

Administer epinephrine to:
- Increase heart rate
- Increase blood pressure
- Support CPR-based resuscitation
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see FM/BG-201 - Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 6 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing

Skill

FM/BS-221 - Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm

Skill

Administer amiodarone to:
- Support CPR-based resuscitation
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see FM/BG-201 - Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 4 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- a decrease in heart rate

Skill

FM/BS-222 - Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm

Skill

Administer lidocaine to:
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see FM/BG-201 - Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 2 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing

Skill

FM/BS-347 - Use ammonium carbonate to increase wake-up chance

Skill

Administer ammonium carbonate to increase wake-up chance
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than once every 30 seconds to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- an increase in heart rate

Skill

FM/BS-308 - Use epinephrine to increase wake-up chance

Skill

Administer epinephrine to increase a stable patient's wake-up chance
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 6 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- an increase in heart rate
- an increase in blood pressure

See FM/BS-220 - Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm for usage of this medication for resuscitation purposes.

Skill

FM/BS-361 - Use a pulse oximeter to monitor heart rate

Skill

Use a pulse oximeter to monitor a patients heart rate