The ACLS certification course helps us to understand the importance of vasopressin in the treatment of the cardiac arrest patient. We have also implemented the use of Amiodarone over the use of lidocaine. These different medications allows us the opportunity as well as the patient a greater chance of survival. The American Heart Association survival rate for a cardiac arrest is only 6.4% on the national average. So as we can see, it is nice to have vasopressin as another alternative to help resuscitate the cardiac arrest victim.

The treatment required is emergent and consists of performing a pericardiocentesis, meaning to remove the fluid or blood out from around the heart or the physician will do a pericardial window, where part of the pericardium is removed.  Fluids are provided via IV to help keep a blood pressure within normal range and at times some medications are given to help elevate the blood pressure until surgery can be done.  Oxygen is also provided to help with the oxygen demand of the heart.  Health care providers that give emergency medical care should consider an ACLS course to become certified in providing life saving treatments to adult patients.

There are many causes for Cardiac Tamponade, which include dissecting aortic aneurysm, wounds or trauma to the heart, end stage lung cancer, heart attack, heart surgery, pericarditis, heart tumors, hypothyroidism, kidney failure, radiation to the chest area, or recent open heart surgery.  Some symptoms may be anxiety, difficulty breathing, chest pain, pale blue or gray skin color, palpitations, swelling of the abdominal area, dizzy, drowsiness, low blood pressure or week or absent pulse.  Immediately call 911, never transport a person that is having chest pain of any kind.  The paramedics have been trained and have been certified from attending an ACLS course.  The class provides lecture and hands-on training in dealing with adult medical emergencies using algorithms that most hospitals utilize as their protocols.

Study Smart | Stemi Protocol | Medical Training | Medical Terminology
 Cardiology | Cardiac Arrest | Asystole | Amiodarone  | Chest Pain
 Pneumonia

Here are some tips to become an expert at washing hands:
*Turn on Warm water (the water does not have to be extremely hot. Most germs would have to be exposed to extremely high temperatures to eradicate them and they are some germs that could still survive. The goal is to eliminate as many germs on the hands by friction and causing them to fall off the hands.)

*It is ok to use soap or anti-bacterial soap. Alcohol hand based cleaner is acceptable if there is no soap available or if the hands are not visibly soiled. If a person has been diagnosed with Clostridium difficile hand washing is recommended over using the alcohol hand gel. C. diff is a spore and can survive almost any type of environment.

*Rub the hands together fast to create friction. Rub in between the fingers, thumbs, and rub the wrists. Rinse the hands holding them upright, not down

*Dry hands thoroughly with paper towels preferably, and discard the towels. Get a clean paper towel to turn the faucet off to decrease the risk of contracting more germs on the hands.

It has been recommended by health care professionals to wash for at least 20 seconds to be effective in eliminating germs and the ability to pass the germs from one person to another. Infections can cause serious illness that can sometimes lead to death. A PALS class will instruct the health care provider to perform effective CPR with interventions outlined in the algorithms that are appropriate for the condition of the child. Save a life with advanced techniques that are approved by the American Heart Association.

We must all remember that a rhythm without a pulse is called PEA. That in itself is another ball of wax or should I say, another ACLS Algorithm. This is a very treatable rhythm if the underlying cause is addressed up front. But when you keep thinking that a Normal Sinus Rhythm is fine, we all loose out in the medical community.