Title: Goal-Directed Resuscitation During Cardiac Arrest<br/>Author: John Greenwood<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/412/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
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<strong><u>Goal-Directed Resuscitation During Cardiac Arrest</u></strong></p>
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Focusing on high-quality CPR is by far one of the most effective methods to ensure your arrested patient has the best chance to survive. However, emerging evidence suggests that there are additional goals that we should try and accomplish during our resuscitation.</p>
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As we continue to move toward goal-directed resuscitation strategies, optimizing coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) may be our next target in “personalizing” the care we provide to those in cardiac arrest.</p>
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A recent AHA consensus statement recommended the following physiologic goals during cardiac arrest care:</p>
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<strong>CPP > 20 mmHg:</strong> Estimated by diastolic BP [DBP] – [CVP] using an arterial line & central line.</li>
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<strong>DBP > 25 mmHg:</strong> When an a-line is present without an appropriate CVC.</li>
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<strong>EtCO<sub>2</sub> > 20 mmHg:</strong> When an a-line & CVC are not present.</li>
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Each of these variables can give the provider valuable feedback about how their patient is responding to their resuscitation. Some argue that the DBP target should be much higher (>35 mmHg), with the caveat that pharmacologic optimization can only occur once high quality CPR is confirmed. The goal should always be to <em>minimize</em> the use of epinephrine whenever possible!</p>
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<strong><u>Bottom Line:</u></strong><strong> During your next cardiac arrest resus, consider using a goal-directed strategy by monitoring the patient’s CPP, DBP, & EtCO<sub>2</sub> to determine the effectiveness of your resuscitation.</strong></p>
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<u><strong>Suggested Reading</strong></u></p>
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Meaney PA, Bobrow BJ, Mancini ME, et al. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality: [corrected] improving cardiac resuscitation outcomes both inside and outside the hospital: a consensus statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013;128(4):417-35.</li>
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Sutton RM, Friess SH, Maltese MR, et al. Hemodynamic-directed cardiopulmonary resuscitation during in-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation. 2014;85(8):983-6.</li>
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