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Reversible Causes of a Cardiac Arrest and a CPR Class Columbus, OH



Any individual, regardless of his or her age can be at the receiving end of a sudden cardiac arrest. There are various traumatic and medical conditions that can lead to cardiac arrest in both adults and children. For example, electrical abnormalities, inherited disorders and structural changes in the heart can lead to cardiac arrest. Determining and treating the cause of cardiac arrest is critical to improving patient outcomes. The best way to deal with cardiac arrest scenarios is by going for a CPR class Columbus

Being a resident of the Columbus region in Ohio, you can sign up for a program at the AHA accredited CPR Columbus where both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students.
When it comes to cardiac arrest, fortunately, many causes are reversible, including some conditions which are often referred to by the mnemonic “H’s and T’s”:

Hypoxia: Hypoxia is a deficiency in the level of oxygen that reaches the tissues which can occur due to a variety of conditions like lung disorders i.e. COPD and asthma. The condition can be reversed by administering oxygen either through BiPAP, a mechanical ventilator, or oxygen mask if the patient has spontaneous respirations.

Hypothermia: It is not a common cause but hypothermia can also lead to cardiac arrest. When the body’s core temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius, cardiac output is decreased, which can lead to cardiac arrest. The body may not respond to CPR and defibrillation during the hypothermic state, thus rewarming should be implemented as soon as possible. Passive external rewarming or active internal rewarming may be indicated depending on how low the body temperature is.

Hydrogen Ion (Acidosis): Acidosis can be either metabolic or respiratory. Either cause can lead to cardiac arrest. An arterial blood gas is a quick and accurate method to determine if a patient is acidotic. If a patient has respiratory acidosis, he can be treated by providing adequate ventilation. Sodium bicarbonate administration can treat metabolic acidosis.

Tension Pneumothorax: A tension pneumothorax develops when there is a buildup of air in the pleural space which causes a shift in the mediastinum and venous return to the heart is obstructed, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Signs of a tension pneumothorax may include unequal breath sounds, tracheal deviation, difficult ventilation and JVD. The condition can be treated with a needle decompression and/or insertion of a chest tube.

Tamponade (Cardiac): This is another reversible cause of cardiac arrest. The condition occurs when fluid or blood fills the pericardium which puts pressure on the heart and prevents the ventricles from filling properly. It may be caused by trauma to the chest such as a gunshot wound or by inflammation of the pericardium. What is needed in this regard to remove the fluid is a pericardiocentesis or a thoracotomy.

Toxins- Ingestion of toxins or an overdose of some type of medication or street drug is one of the most common causes of cardiac arrest. One sign of cardiac arrest due to a drug overdose is a prolonged QT interval. In addition to supportive care, a reversing agent may be administered like Narcan which can reverse the effects of narcotic overdose. 

Some other reversible causes are Hypovolemia, Hypokalemia/Hyperkalemia, Thrombosis Pulmonary and Thrombosis Coronary.

For more information or to join a CPR class, contact CPR Columbus in Ohio.

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