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Case Report: Coronary Vasospasm-Induced Cardiac Arrest

ACEP Now

A 45-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, amphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use, and coronary vasospasm presented to triage with chest pain. During assessment, the patient reported that a left heart catheterization six months prior indicated spasms but no coronary artery disease.

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Resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. Should the cath lab be activated?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

He was defibrillated into VT. He then underwent dual sequential defibrillation into asystole. But cardiac arrest is a period of near zero flow in the coronary arteries and causes SEVERE ischemia. See these related cases: Cardiac arrest, defibrillated, diffuse ST depression and ST Elevation in aVR. They started CPR.

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Updates in the Management of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation Arrest

ACEP Now

2 Standard management for VT and VF involves the use of electrical defibrillation, high-quality chest compressions, and epinephrine. Initial guidelines defined “refractory” as VT or VF occurring despite three shocks from a cardiac defibrillator. Tips for use of dual sequence defibrillation 11 : Use the same model of defibrillator.

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SGEM#344: We Will…We Will Cath You – But should We After An OHCA Without ST Elevations?

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

Defibrillation is the treatment of choice in these cases but does not often result in sustained ROSC ( Kudenchuk et al 2006). Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is responsible for the majority (60%) of all OHCAs in patients. Half of these arrests are witnessed with the other half being un-witnessed.

EMR 130
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A 50-something with chest pain.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

More past history: hypertension, tobacco use, coronary artery disease with two vessel PCI to the right coronary artery and circumflex artery several years prior. VF was refractory to amiodarone, lidocaine, double-sequential defibrillation, esmolol, etc. It is unknown when this pain recurred and became constant.

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The CT FIRST Trial: Should We Pan-CT After ROSC?

REBEL EM

Indication for emergency invasive coronary angiography or had coronary angiography within 1 hour of arrival. Known obstructive coronary artery disease or known coronary stent. Known cardiac defibrillator. Excluded: Obvious cause for OHCA prior to SDCT or on hospital arrival. Pre-existing DNR order.

Coronary 142
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1 hour of CPR, then ECMO circulation, then successful defibrillation.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

She was unable to be defibrillated but was cannulated and placed on ECMO in our Emergency Department (ECLS - extracorporeal life support). After good ECMO flow was established, she was successfully defibrillated. Here is a case of ECMO defibrillation with near shark fin that was due to proximal LAD occlusion. The K was normal.