ABC of resuscitation. Ventricular fibrillation. Issue 6527 (19th April 1986)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chamberlain, D
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 292:Issue 6527(1986)
• Page Start: 1068
• Page End: 1070
• Publication Date: 1986-04-19
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.292.6527.1068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The hopeful phase: three shocks at 160J, 160J, 320J (200J, 200J, 400J). The struggling phase: three shocks at 320J (400J) after, respectively, lignocaine, adrenaline, bicarbonate. Patient intubated if possible. The desperate phase: three shocks at 320J (400J) with different electrode position or different defibrillator. While improvements will doubtless be made as skill in resuscitation increases, the guidelines can ensure that relatively few treated patients die in ventricular fibrillation and only those with irreversible myocardial damage are likely to be converted to intractible asystole.