So your resuscitation was successful…hooray, but hold on, what next before your patient crashes again?
- Perform a focused and detailed history and physical examination
- Evaluate the airway and ETT placement, control the ventilator settings to maintain a PaCO2 to 35 to 45 mmHg and an oxygen saturation of above 94% while keeping the PaO2 below 300 mmHg
- Assess for neurological dysfunction in absence of neuromuscular blockade
- Send labs including CBC, CMP, troponin, coagulation studies
- Obtain a plain film chest X-Ray, Point of Care Ultrasound, and ECG
- Early consultation of interventional cardiology for patients in VF/VT or with ST segment changes on ECG
- Pressor support and isotonic crystalloid boluses to maintain a MAP of 85-100
- Avoid hyperthermia (keep temp <36 degrees centigrade)
