Monday, September 29, 2025

ACLS – Study Notes

Approach in simulations:

First steps: O₂ → IV → monitor + pads.

    • If no pulse → start CPR immediately.

    • Rhythm changes every 2 min of CPR → reassess + follow algorithm.

    • Stay calm, delegate tasks, and verbalize steps.

Airway & Ventilation

  • Nasopharyngeal airway → conscious with gag reflex; measure nose → earlobe.

  • Oropharyngeal airway → unconscious, no gag; measure mouth → angle of jaw.

  • Bag-mask ventilation:

    • 1 breath every 6 sec (10/min).

    • Each breath over 1 sec.

    • Only half the bag (avoid overventilation → ↓ venous return + cardiac output).

Bradycardia (HR <50 with pulse)

  • Stable → monitor.

  • Unstable (hypotension, chest pain, shock, HF, AMS):

    • 1st line: Atropine 1 mg q3–5 min (max 3 mg).

      • Works for sinus brady, 1° block, 2° type I.

      • Not effective for 2° type II or 3°.

    • If atropine ineffective or contraindicated:

      • Transcutaneous pacing (preferred).

      • Dopamine 5–20 mcg/kg/min or Epinephrine 2–10 mcg/min.

    • If refractory: Transvenous pacing (expert consult).

  • Pacing rate: ~60 bpm (can go 60–80, but 60 is standard).

  • Sedate if possible before pacing.

Tachycardia (HR ≥150 with pulse)

  • Stable:

    • Narrow → vagal maneuvers → Adenosine 6 mg → (then 12 mg if needed).

      • Avoid in asthma/COPD (bronchospasm risk).

    • If Afib/flutter → skip adenosine; use β-blocker or Ca²⁺-channel blocker.

    • Wide → consider adenosine (if monomorphic), otherwise → antiarrhythmics:

      • Procainamide, Amiodarone (150 mg IV over 10 min), Sotalol.

  • Unstable (hypotension, chest pain, shock, HF, AMS):

    • Immediate synchronized cardioversion.

    • Sedate if available.

    • Never cardiovert sinus tach.

Pulseless Rhythms

VFib / Pulseless VTach

  • CPR + O₂ + IV access.

  • First action = Defibrillate ASAP.

    • Shock 120 J → CPR 2 min → rhythm check.

    • Shock 150 J → CPR 2 min + give Epinephrine 1 mg.

    • Shock 200 J → CPR 2 min + give Amiodarone 300 mg (or Lidocaine 1–1.5 mg/kg).

    • Alternate Epi (1 mg) and Amio/Lido with each cycle.

    • Amio 2nd dose = 150 mg.

    • Lidocaine 2nd dose = 0.5–0.75 mg/kg (max 3 mg/kg).

  • Switch compressors q2min.

  • For torsades → Magnesium 1–2 g in 10 mL NS over 20 min.

PEA / Asystole

  • CPR + O₂ + IV access.

  • Give Epinephrine 1 mg ASAP.

  • No defibrillation.

  • Continue CPR cycles: Epi → nothing → Epi → nothing.

  • Search for H’s & T’s (hypovolemia, hypoxia, H⁺, hypo/hyperkalemia, hypothermia, tamponade, tension pneumo, thrombosis PE/MI, toxins).

  • LVAD patients may have pseudo-PEA → check hum/perfusion, not pulse.

Post-ROSC Care

  • Primary survey (ABCDE):

    • Airway: intubate if needed.

    • Breathing: O₂, ventilation, ETCO₂ monitoring (goal 35–40; >10 = good CPR).

    • Circulation: ECG, BP, fluids, pressors (norepi/epi/dopamine).

    • Disability: neuro exam (pupils, LOC).

    • Exposure: look for trauma, bleeding, burns.

  • Targeted Temperature Management (TTM):

    • 32–36°C for unresponsive patients post-ROSC.

  • STEMI:

    • Aspirin 162–325 mg chewed.

    • Oxygen if sat <90%.

    • Nitroglycerin (avoid if hypotensive, RV infarct, PDE-5 inhibitor).

    • PCI goal: ≤90 min from first medical contact.

    • Fibrinolysis: ≤12 hrs from onset.

Stroke (ACLS adjunct)

  • FAST exam: facial droop, arm drift, speech.

  • Determine last known well time.

  • CT head within 20 min, read by 45 min.

  • tPA (alteplase): 3–4.5 hr window; BP <185/110 before giving.

  • Endovascular therapy: ≤24 hrs.

  • Glucose check mandatory (hypoglycemia can mimic stroke).

  • Admit to stroke or neuro ICU.

Cardioversion vs Defibrillation vs Pacing

  • Synchronized cardioversion: unstable tachycardia with pulse.

  • Unsynchronized (defibrillation): pulseless VF/VT.

  • Pacing: unstable bradycardia (2° type II or 3° block → skip atropine).

  • CPR only: PEA & asystole.

Drug Quick Review

  • Atropine: 1 mg q3–5 min (max 3 mg).

  • Epinephrine (arrest): 1 mg q3–5 min.

  • Amiodarone (arrest): 300 mg → 150 mg.

  • Lidocaine: 1–1.5 mg/kg → 0.5–0.75 mg/kg (max 3 mg/kg).

  • Adenosine: 6 mg → 12 mg.

  • Magnesium (torsades): 1–2 g over 20 min.

  • Pressors (post-ROSC): norepi, epi, dopamine.

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