← All quick references

ClearRounds Health · Cardiology · Quick Reference

Cardiac Arrest

PDF coming soon
Arrhythmias & DevicesAdvancedIn progressAlgorithm

Shockable vs nonshockable rhythms, reversible causes, post-arrest cardiac evaluation, cath considerations, TTM concepts, and ICD evaluation.

Last reviewed

Pending initial clinical review

Sources / guidelines to verify

  • Current AHA ACLS & Post-Cardiac-Arrest Care Guidelines
  • AHA/ACC SCD prevention guidelines
Disclaimer: Educational reference only. Not a substitute for clinician judgment, local protocols, or current guideline review.

One-page reference

Draft content pending the site owner’s clinical review. Verify against the sources above and local protocol before clinical use.

1

What it is / why it matters

  • Cessation of effective circulation — shockable (VF/pVT) vs non-shockable (PEA/asystole).
  • Survival depends on early high-quality CPR and defibrillation.
2

Key diagnostic clues

  • Unresponsive, no pulse, not breathing normally.
3

Initial workup

Reversible causes — H’s and T’s

  • Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, H⁺ (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia · Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis (coronary/pulmonary).
  • High-quality CPR, early defibrillation for VF/pVT, epinephrine; identify and treat the reversible cause.
4

Management framework

  • Post-ROSC 12-lead → emergent cath if STEMI or likely cardiac cause.
  • Targeted temperature management (avoid fever); hemodynamic and ventilatory support.
  • Delay neuro-prognostication; evaluate for ICD after reversible causes are excluded.
5

Red flags / escalate now

  • Refractory VF / recurrent arrest → consider ECPR; activate the team.
6

Follow-up / monitoring

  • Etiology workup; ICD evaluation when the cause is not fully reversible.
7

Clinic pearls

  • Shockable rhythms have the best outcomes — defibrillate fast.
  • Always hunt the H’s & T’s; post-arrest STEMI → cath lab.

Related quick references

📄 Ventricular Tachycardia / Ventricular Fibrillation📄 Acute Coronary Syndrome: UA / NSTEMI / STEMI📄 ICDs

Suggest an edit or request this reference

Spot something to improve, or want this one-pager prioritized? Send feedback to the ClearRounds Health team.

Share feedback →
ClearRounds Health · Cardiology — Cardiac Arrest Quick Reference · Last reviewed: Pending initial clinical review · Educational reference only. Not a substitute for clinician judgment, local protocols, or current guideline review.