Adult High Performance CPR (HP-CPR) Demo at the South Carolina Resuscitation Academy! Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue: Tim Santini, Jon Ceiply, Shane Marstiller, Sean Kavlick What is High Performance CPR? High Performance CPR typically consists of expertly performed BLS with strict attention to: Minimally interrupted chest compressions Ensuring optimal rate (100-120) Ensuring adequate depth (2 […]
Many paramedics argue strongly for including nitroglycerin paste as an arrow in their pharmacologic quiver when treating acute congestive heart failure. Baffles me. True, you don’t need to break the seal of the CPAP to give it, and you don’t need to use an IV. But this medication hardly belongs in the emergency department, let […]
Calcium Chloride/Gluconate are used during Hyperkalemia induced ECG changes to reduce Serum Potassium. The answer is: False! The majority of Potassium in our body is found intracellular. Only a very small percentage (about 2%) is found extracellular, ranging between 3.5- 5.5 mEq/L. As extracellular Potassium levels increase, the action potential threshold decreases, for example, instead of […]
This is the case of a 53 year old female who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) via EMS, with Altered Mental Status (AMS). EMS was called to a local dialysis center due to the patient being unresponsive after  approximately 3 hours of dialysis. Upon arrival to the ED, the patient was unable to answer […]
Cardiovascular Assessment: Pulsus Paradoxus Assessing cardiac function, blood pressure and hemodynamic status play an important role during our overall patient assessment and treatment. Although 12 lead ECG evaluation is an essential part of patient assessment, especially cardiac etiology, understanding basic cardiac function plays a major role during treatment and overall patient status. During normal hemodynamic […]
As requested, during our previous Adenosine discussion, we will briefly review, Parasympathetic stimulation and Atropine pharmacodynamics on the heart. ACETYLCHOLINE (ACh) is one of the Neurotransmitters, a chemical signal, used by the Central Nervous System, which has many effects on the body, from stimulating muscle contraction, inducing peristalsis (digestion), Bile release by the liver, and […]
So, recently, I was involved in a conversation, where the topic of Adenosine administration came up. It seems like there is a misunderstanding regarding its use and mechanism of action. Although this is not our classic ECG interpretation topic, I believe its worth talking about for a bit. Adenosine, a Class V antiarrhythmic from the […]