A Rare Case of Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP) with True Electrical and Mechanical Capture

EMS is called to an assisted living facility for a 79-year-old female who is found collapsed outside her apartment door.

On arrival, the staff is providing adequate chest compressions.

The cardiac monitor is attached.

The arrest rhythm is asystole.

Chest compressions are continued, an IV is initiated, and 1 mg of epinephrine is given.

Now there is a regular bradycardic rhythm without P-waves at a rate of 30.

The patient has a faint pulse but a blood pressure cannot be auscultated. The patient is prepared for transcutaneous pacing (TCP).

The computer is successfully identifying and marking the R-waves.

The pacer is set to 80 PPM and paramedics report capture at 110 mA.

The presence of broad T-waves indicates true electrical capture.

With this rhythm there are pulses that correspond with the monitor (not always accurate), there is an SpO2 waveform, and the NIBP is 118/68.

Unfortunately, the patient did not survive to hospital discharge.

See also:

Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP): The Problem of False Capture

Revisiting Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing

Transcutaneous Pacing Success!!! Part 1

Transcutaneous Pacing Success!!! Part 2

Transcutaneous Pacing: “Turn it up to eleven!”

Transcutaneous pacing (TCP) for asystole

Transcutaneous pacing (TCP) with a Lifepak 12

Using Capnography to Confirm Capture with Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP)