Cardiac management - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)
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Group

Cardiac management



FM/G47 - Cardiac management
Guide
FM/BG-1182 - Heart rhythms
Guide
RythmTreatmentPulseBPM
NormalN/AHas pulseSee FM/BG-517 - Understanding vital signs
VT - Ventricular Tachycardia

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

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

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

+

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

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

No pulse>120
VF - Ventricular Fibrillation

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

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

+

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

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

No pulseUnstable
PEA - Pulseless Electrical Activity

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

+

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

No pulseLike a normal rythm
Asystole

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

+

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

No pulse0
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

  1. Perform CPR for at least 2 minutes (or 30 seconds as a medic)
  2. Check pulse
  3. 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. 

Image
FM/BI-1184 - Recognizing heart rhythms with the AED-X
Image
From top to bottom: normal sinus rhytm, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity, asystole

Above: From top to bottom: normal sinus rhytm, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity, asystole

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: 

  1. Check the patient's pulse
  2. Place AED(-X) pads on the patient's chest and press “analyze rythm”
  3. If shock is advised, repeat until a pulse is established:
    1. Administer epinephrine FM/BS-220 - Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm
    2. Shock using the AED(-X)
    3. Administer amiodarone FM/BS-221 - Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm
    4. Shock using the AED(-X)
    5. Administer lidocaine FM/BS-222 - Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm
    6. Shock using the AED(-X)
  4. If no shock is advised:
    1. Administer epinephrine FM/BS-220 - Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm
    2. Perform CPR for 30 seconds

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

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 pulse rate

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