CPR

Question 1

Describe cardiopulmonary arrest and give 3 effects

Answer 1

Characterised by acute failure of the respiratory and circulatory system

• Lack of O2 delivery to tissues
• Cellular death
• Cerebral Hypoxia

Question 2

Describe three causes of CPA

Answer 2

Anaesthetic complications
Hypovolaemia
Severe trauma

Question 3

Give three signs of CPA

Answer 3

Apnoea
No Palpable pulse
Bleeding stops at surgical site

Question 4

Describe three preparations that can be made to deal with CPA

Answer 4

• CPR protocol
• Training of staff
• Crash cart/box

Question 5

What would you start with if you were alone dealing with a case of Cardio Pulmonary Arrest

Answer 5

Compressions
Airway
Breathing

Question 6

Describe the airway support that may be given in CPR

Answer 6

If aponea identified give 2-5 rescue breaths

• Can use ET (orotracheal intubation) tube or ambu bage
• May attempt emergency tracheostomy

Question 7

Describe the breathing support that may be given in CPR

Answer 7

PPV
10 breaths per minute
Stop ventilation if spontaneous breathing returns

Question 8

Describe the Circulation support for CPR

Answer 8

Cardiac Pump - Cats and narrow chested dogs blood forced through the large vessels (ventral 1/3 of the thorax 100-120 compressions per min)
Thoracic pump - Using both ventricles of the heart to generate output vol (widest part of the thorax 60-120comp/min

Question 9

Describe two drugs that can be used to help treat an animal in CPA

Answer 9

• Admin determined by ECG
  Adrenaline - Increased myocardial contractability, increased heart rate, venocontraction (use when in ASTYSTOLE, ATROPINE RESISTANT BRADYC AND POOR DIASTOLIC FILLING)
  Atropine- Important in small animal CPR (increased incidence of VAGALLY MEDIATED BRADYCARDIA)
  Increases heart rate, controls hypotension and increases systolic vascular resistance) Use in cases of VAGAL INDICATED ASYSTOLE.

Question 10

Describe three ways in which CPR drugs can be administered

Answer 10

IV - Cranial VC (can be difficult due to movement during CPR)
IO - Trochanteric fossa in the femur (good in Small A)
IT - Give as chest inflates to distribute drug

Question 11

Describe electrical defibrillation in CPR

Answer 11

• Only way to deal with ventricular arrest