Bolus thrombolytic infusion during prolonged refractory cardiac arrest of undiagnosed cause. Issue 3 (23rd February 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheth, A; Cullinan, P; Vachharajani, V; Conrad, S A
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 23:Issue 3(2006)
• Page Start: e19
• Page End: e19
• Publication Date: 2006-02-23
• Subjects: ACC, American College of Cardiology -- AHA, American Heart Association -- AMI, acute myocardial infarction -- CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation -- PE, pulmonary embolism -- PEA, pulseless electrical activity -- rh-tPA, recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator -- ROSC, return of spontaneous circulation; bolus thrombolytics -- cardiac arrest -- CPR -- ACLS; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2005.029132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and pulmonary embolism (PE) account for about 70% of cardiac arrest. Although thrombolytic therapy is an effective therapy for both AMI and PE, it is not routinely recommended during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for fear of life threatening bleeding complications. Numerous case reports and retrospective studies have suggested a beneficial effect of thrombolytics in cardiac arrest secondary to AMI and PE; however, we present a case of successful use of bolus thrombolytics during CPR in a patient with undifferentiated cardiac arrest (undiagnosed cause) after prolonged conventional resuscitation without success.