Articles: advanced-cardiac-life-support-standards.
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Cardiovascular disease is prevalent in the older population, making older patients susceptible to complications, including cardiac arrest. Early intervention via cardiopulmonary resuscitation or another form of emergency cardiovascular care can reduce mortality in this population. ⋯ By understanding these ACLS recommendations, primary care physicians will be better prepared to assist their older patients during a cardiac emergency. In the geriatric population, awareness of the patients' wishes regarding initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is important in deciding if it is appropriate to proceed with these measures.
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Prolongation of the QT interval is a known risk factor for syncope, seizures and sudden cardiac death. Most patients with QT prolongation have an acquired cause, but congenital forms of QT prolongation are being increasingly recognized. ⋯ Here, a young patient with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to congenital LQTS illustrates critical exceptions to the current ACLS treatment algorithms for ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia when QT prolongation is congenital in origin. A clarified ACLS algorithm is proposed.
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The Advanced Life Support (ALS) Provider Course trains healthcare professionals in a standardised approach to the management of a cardiac arrest. In the setting of limited resources for healthcare training, it is important that courses are fit for purpose in addressing the needs of both the individual and healthcare system. This study investigated the use of ALS skills in clinical practice after training on an ALS course amongst members of the cardiac arrest team compared to first responders. ⋯ We believe that the ALS course is more appropriately targeted to members of a cardiac arrest team. In our opinion the recently launched Immediate Life Support course, in parallel with training in the recognition and intervention in the early stages of critical illness, are more appropriate for the occasional or first responder to a cardiac arrest.