Episode 62: Running a cardiac arrest

This episode of Critical Care Scenarios dissects the practical approaches to managing cardiac arrest in an ICU setting, emphasizing the gap between ACLS guidelines and real-world practice. The hosts, Brandon Odo and Brian Bolling, present a case of a 75-year-old sepsis patient who goes into VTAC arrest. They stress the importance of high-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation as the most impactful interventions. Discussion points include team management during codes, the utility of tools like A-lines and echocardiography, and strategies for identifying reversible causes such as hyperkalemia or tamponade. The hosts also explore the nuances of crowd control during codes and the value of post-event debriefing for continuous improvement.