Scribd
Upload
2K views1 page

H and T of ACLS

This document outlines the H's and T's of ACLS, which stand for various potential causes of cardiac arrest. It provides details on Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen Ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia, Tamponade, Tension Pneumothorax, Toxins (various accidental overdoses or cocaine use), Thrombosis (heart - acute MI), and Thrombosis (lungs - PE). For each cause, it lists relevant ECG signs, physical signs to look for, and the most important interventions.

Uploaded by

munkeebusiness
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2K views1 page

H and T of ACLS

This document outlines the H's and T's of ACLS, which stand for various potential causes of cardiac arrest. It provides details on Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen Ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia, Tamponade, Tension Pneumothorax, Toxins (various accidental overdoses or cocaine use), Thrombosis (heart - acute MI), and Thrombosis (lungs - PE). For each cause, it lists relevant ECG signs, physical signs to look for, and the most important interventions.

Uploaded by

munkeebusiness
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Hs and Ts of ACLS

Hypovolemia
Loss of fluid volume in the
circulatory system.
Look for obvious blood loss.
Most important intervention is
to obtain IV access and
administer IV fluids.
Use a fluid challenge to
determine if the arrest is
related to hypovolemia

Toxins

Hypoxia
Deprivation of an adequate
oxygen supply can be a
significant contributing
cause of cardiac arrest.
Ensure that the airway is
open.
Ensure adequate ventilation,
and bilateral breath sounds.

Hydrogen Ion
(acidosis)

Hypo/Hyperkalemia

Hypothermia

Obtain an arterial blood gas


to determine respiratory
acidosis.

Both a high and low K+ can cause


cardiac arrest.

If a patient has been


exposed to the cold,
warming measures should
be taken.

Provide adequate
ventilations.

Signs of high K+ include taller,


peaked T-waves, and widening of
the QRS complex.

Use sodium bicarbonate to


prevent metabolic acidosis if
necessary.

Signs of low K+ include flattened


T-waves, prominent U-waves and
possibly widened QRS complex.

Ensure oxygen supply is


connected properly.

Tamponade

Never give undiluted intravenous


potassium.

Tension
Pneumothorax

Accidental overdose : Some of


the most common include:
tricyclics, digoxin,
betablockers, and calcium
channel blockers).

Fluid build-up in the


pericardium results in
ineffective pumping of the
blood which can lead to
pulseless arrest.

Tension pneumothorax
shifts in the intrathroacic
structure and can rapidly
lead to cardiovascular
collapse and death.

Cocaine is the most common


street drug that increases
incidence of pulseless arrest.

ECG symptoms: Narrow QRS


complex and rapid heart
rate.

ECG signs: Narrow QRS


complexes and slow heart
rate.

Physical signs include


bradycardia, pupil symptoms,
and other neurological
changes.

Physical signs: jugular vein


distention (JVD), no pulse or
difficulty palpating a pulse,
and muffled heart sounds.

Physical signs: JVD, tracheal


deviation, unequal breath
sounds, difficulty with
ventilation, and no pulse felt
with CPR.

Poison control can be utilized


to obtain information about
toxins and reversing agents.

Perform: pericardiocentesis
to reverse.

Treatment: Needle
decompression.

Core temp. should be


raised above 86 F and 30 C
as soon as possible.
The patient may not
respond to drug or
electrical therapy while
hypothermic.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis

(heart: acute, massive MI)

(lungs: massive PE)

Causes acute myocardial


infarction.
ECG signs: 12 lead ECG with STsegment changes, T-wave
inversions, and/or Q waves.
Physical signs: elevated cardiac
markers on lab tests, and chest
pain/pressure.
Treatments: use of fibrinolytic
therapy, PCI (percutaneous
coronary intervention).
The most common PCI procedure
is coronary angioplasty with or
without stent placement.

Can rapidly lead to


respiratory collapse and
sudden death.
ECG signs of PE: Narrow
QRS Complex and rapid
heart rate.
Physical signs: No pulse
felt with CPR. distended
neck veins, positive ddimer test, prior positive
test for DVT or PE.
Treatment: surgical
intervention (pulmonary
thrombectomy) and
fibrinolytic therapy.

You might also like