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PO-01-065 DECREASE IN HEART RATE AND BRADYCARDIA PRECEDING IN-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST

HeartRhythm

In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is a major healthcare problem with a high mortality rate. With continuous telemetry monitoring, heart rate trends could be used to predict IHCA events.

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A 20-something woman with cardiac arrest.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

During the night, while on telemetry, the patient became bradycardic, with periods of isorhythmic AV dissociation (nodal escape rhythm alternating with sinus bradycardia), and there were sporadic PVCs. Cardiac arrest was called and advanced life support was undertaken for this patient. Without an MRI, it is impossible to know.

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How will you save this critically ill patient? A fundamental and lifesaving ECG interpretation that everyone must recognize instantly.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

See our other countless hyperkalemia cases below: General hyperkalemia cases: A 50s year old man with lightheadedness and bradycardia Patient with Dyspnea. A woman with near-syncope, bradycardia, and hypotension What happens if you do not recognize this ECG instantly? HyperKalemia with Cardiac Arrest. With a twist.

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An Unusual Bradycardia

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Krantz et al authored a State-of-the-Art Review on Cardiovascular Complications of Opioid Use ( JACC 77(2):205-223, 2021 ) — in which mechanisms from Opioid Overdose that detail arrhythmia production ( up to cardiac arrest ) are elucidated — thereby providing an explanation for the unusual arrhythmias in today's case.

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A middle aged man with unwitnessed cardiac arrest

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Written by Pendell Meyers, with edits by Steve Smith Thanks to my attending Nic Thompson who superbly led this resuscitation We received a call that a middle aged male in cardiac arrest was 5 minutes out. He was estimated to be in his 50s, with no known PMHx. He arrived with chest compressions ongoing, intubated, and being bagged.

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Transcutaneous Pacing: Part 2

EMS 12-Lead

Patient had an unwitnessed cardiac arrest without bystander CPR performed. Crew notifies the received ED of an incoming post-arrest patient and notes a sinus bradycardia on their monitor, as seen in Figure 2. Figure 2 : This rhythm shows a sinus bradycardia at a rate between 30 and 40bpm.

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Could you have prevented this young man's cardiac arrest?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

One hour later (labs not yet returned), here is the ECG recorded just after the team noticed a sudden wide complex with precipitous decompensation, just before cardiac arrest: Bizarre, Brady, and Broad (wide QRS). Unfortunately, this was not recognized at this time. I believe it was this point when hyperkalemia was first suspected.