CARDIOLOGY & RESUSCITATION

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF)

1 EXPLANATION

CHF is when heart fails as a pump, pulmonary edema can be life-

threatening

2 RISK FACTORS

Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Rales bilaterally, JVD, pink sputum with cough, hypertension

4 TREATMENT

(1) Oxygen, (2) 12-Lead EKG, (3) CPAP 10 cm H20 (5-10 cm H20)

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

1 EXPLANATION

MI is when a coronary artery is blocked, causing no blood flow to the

heart muscle

2 RISK FACTORS

Smokers, diabetes, age 50+, hypertension, high cholesterol

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Crushing chest pain, left arm/shoulder/jaw pain, nausea/vomitting,

weakness/malaise, backpain

4 TREATMENT

(1) Oxygen, goal 94% or higher, (2) Aspirin 324

STROKE

1 EXPLANATION

Blockage/hemorrage of a cerebral artery that supplies blood to the

brain

2 RISK FACTORS

Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, previous stroke/clot

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Balance, does it appear normal? Eyes, vision blurred/nystagmus, facial

droop?, arm drift? speech, time last seen normal (3-4.5 hrs TPA)

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

1 EXPLANATION

Tear/rupture of Aorta

2 RISK FACTORS

Cardiac risk factors: SAD-CHF, men 60-70 years

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Unexplained hypotension, pale skin, abdominal pain, syncope,

bradycardia

4 TREATMENT

Oxygen, IV fluids, rapid transport (ALS)

CARDIOGENIC SHOCK

1 EXPLANATION

Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is so severely damaged that

the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. This causes the heart

to fail as a pump, typically a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or a

congestive heart failure exacerbation is the cause of cardiogenic shock.

Shock is hypoperfusion, in this case it is the heart “to blame” for the

shock.

2 RISK FACTORS

Recent cardiac disease/event, congestive heart failure, coronary artery

disease, history of myocardial infarctions.

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea

and vomiting, hypotension, lightheadedness, altered mental status.

4 TREATMENT

BLS: Oxygen to maintain an SPO2 of at least 94%, keep the patient warm,

place in position of comfort. ALS: Consider CPAP, perform a 12-Lead EKG,

IV access, consider fluid bolus and vasopressors such as dopamine or

norepinephrine.