Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

Paul Taylor

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I'm Paul from PassACLS.com and I'm here to help you pass ACLS. Like an audio flash card, this podcast is intended to aid any medical professional preparing for an Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) class. Each one-to-nine minute episode covers one of the skills needed to recognize a stroke or cardiac emergency and work as a high performing team to deliver safe, quality patient care. Listening to a tip a day for 14-30 days prior to your ACLS class will help cement the core concepts that have been shown to improve outcomes in patients suffering a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or stroke. In addition to the Chain of Survival, core concepts, and ACLS algorithms; specific information needed to pass the written exam, BLS checks, and megacode following the 2020 guidelines is presented. Healthcare providers that are already ACLS certified, but rarely participate in codes, may find listening a helpful reminder. Disclaimer: This podcast is a supplement to your course's approved text book and videos - not a replacement. The information presented is for educational purposes only, is intended for medical professionals, and is not medical advice. Medical professionals should follow their local laws, agency protocols, and act only within their scope of practice.

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Top 10 Pass ACLS Tip of the Day Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Pass ACLS Tip of the Day episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Pass ACLS Tip of the Day for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Pass ACLS Tip of the Day episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

A Change in rhythm; which algorithm?

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/14/22 • 7 min

The ACLS algorithms are designed to make it easier to remember the key interventions we should deliver and the order in which they should be delivered to provide the best evidence-based care possible.  While algorithms are helpful in this way, they can also cause some confusion when a patient’s condition changes. Generally speaking, if there’s a change in a patient’s condition, we should ensure we’re using the correct algorithm. Three points to remember: First, if a patient’s condition changes, we should do an assessment and use the algorithm that matches the patient’s current state.  We do not need to go all the way through an algorithm once started.  Second, if an action was already done, we don’t need to repeat it. Third, we only do actions that are clinically appropriate and within our scope of practice. If you cannot perform an intervention, ask someone that can if it’s needed. Common ACLS scenarios and how we could respond are presented to demonstrate these three principles. If you get confused during a code, remember that you have a team and reference cards to help you! Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn  Good luck with your class!

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Beta Blockers in ACS & Stable Tachycardia

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/13/22 • 3 min

Beta blockers should be considered after MONA in the ACS algorithm and after Adenosine in the stable tachycardia algorithm. Beta receptors are adrenergic, meaning that they are stimulated by hormones released by the adrenal gland – primarily epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.  Beta receptors are located throughout the body but the receptors that we focus on for ACLS are beta 1 receptors, found in the heart.   Beta 2 affects the lungs and beta 3, smooth muscle.  Stimulation of beta 1 receptors have both a chronotropic and inotropic effect meaning that is speeds the heart up as well as making it contract more forcefully. Beta blockers in the case of ACS or STEMI helps to decrease the workload of the heart. Beta blockers slows conduction through the AV node and the transfer of potassium across cell membranes – slowing down the heart.  A Beta blocker or calcium channel blocker should be considered for patients that have a heart rate over 150 and are not responsive to Adenosine. If the patient has bradycardia, heart block, or signs of cardiogenic shock, CHF, or bronchospasms - beta blockers are contraindicated. You do not need to be familiar with specific Beta blocker medications and their doses during your ACLS class. Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn  Good luck with your class!

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Epinephrine and Dopamine

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/26/22 • 4 min

Today's episode we review two commonly used ACLS medications, epinephrine and dopamine. Epinephrine may be used to prevent a cardiac arrest in severe anaphylaxis or unstable bradycardia, during a cardiac arrest, and post arrest to maintain blood pressure. Epinephrine's doses and routs of administration. Dopamine is used to treat unstable bradycardia while awaiting TCP and post arrest to maintain a BP of at least 90 systolic. Dopamine's actions are dose dependent. Dopamine should be titrated up slowly and must not exceed 20 mcg/kg/min. Connect with me: Website:  https://passacls.com (https://passacls.com) https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn  Good luck with your class!

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Reversible Causes Hs & Ts - Hypothermia

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/24/22 • 3 min

Accidental hypothermia is one of the reversible causes of cardiac arrest we consider in our Hs & Ts. Hypothermia is a body core temperature less than 96.8 degrees F or 36 degrees C. Depending on the patient's core temp, hypothermia may be moderate or severe. Classification of moderate vs severe hypothermia. Patients with hypothermia are not pronounced dead until they are rewarmed. Resuscitation actions and rewarming of moderate and severe hypothermia is discussed. Rewarming of severe hypothermia is more aggressive and involves invasive actions up to placing the patient on heart/lung bypass. Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn  Good luck with your class!

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Biphasic vs Monophasic Energy Settings for Defibrillation

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

03/04/22 • 4 min

The amount of energy needed to successfully defibrillate, or cardiovert, someone used to confuse a lot of ACLS students. AEDs and biphasic technology has made this easier. AED use for cardiac arrest. Biphasic energy needed to defibrillate someone in V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach. Monophasic defibrillators require more energy to successfully convert a fibrillating heart. The energy settings to deliver a sychronized shock for cardioversion of perfusing rhythms is less when using a biphasic vs monophasic defibrillator. Be sure to engage the synch button and remember that it can take several seconds for the machine to discharge when cardioverting. More energy is needed to convert wide complex rhythm such as V-Tach than a narrow-complex SVT. Connect with me: Website:  https://passacls.com (https://passacls.com) https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn Good luck with your ACLS class!

Identification of Second-Degree AV Blocks and Their Treatment

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

04/10/23 • 7 min

To pass the written ACLS exam and mega code, students need to be able to identify basic ECG dysrhythmias, including the two types of second-degree heart block.

One method of ECG rhythm identification is to ask a series of questions such as:

What's the rate (<60, 60-100, 101-149, or >150);
Is the rhythm regular or irregular;
What's the shape and frequency of P waves and QRS complexes; and
What's the P-R interval and is it constant?

ECG characteristics of a second-degree Mobitz type I (Wenckebach).

Identification of unstable bradycardia and its treatment with Atropine.

ECG characteristics of a second-degree Mobitz type II.

Possible effect of using Atropine on patients with a second-degree type II AV block.

Treatment of unstable bradycardic patients refractory to Atropine using TCP, Dopamine, or Epinephrine drip.

Starting dose and titration of Dopamine and Epinephrine drips.

Connect with me:

Website: https://passacls.com

@PassACLS on Twitter

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Give back & support the show:

via PayPal

Good luck with your ACLS class!

The Curious Clinicians: History of Doctor Wenckebach & Mobitz

Rescue Breathing & CPR Ventilation Ratios

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

07/27/23 • 5 min

Providing rescue breathing to apneic patients with a palpable pulse.

Normal end tidal CO2 for patients with a pulse.

Identification of cardiac arrest and our immediate actions.

Providing artificial ventilations during CPR without an advanced airway vs with an advanced airway in place.

Using quantitative waveform capnography to confirm placement of an advanced airway, assess the quality of CPR, and identify ROSC.

The effects of hyperventilating patients in cardiac arrest.

Connect with me:

Website: https://passacls.com

@PassACLS on Twitter

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Give back & support the show:

via PayPal

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Amiodarone & Lidocaine

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/05/22 • 5 min

Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given to patients in VF or pulseless VT refractory to defibrillation and vasopressor. Recent study comparing Amiodarone to lidocaine shows no statistical difference in survival to discharge. 1-1.5 mg/kg lidocaine IV push is the initial dose for cardiac arrest. 0.5-0.75 mg/kg may be repeated in 5-10 minutes to a maximum of 3 mg/kg. Amiodarone is not weight based. For cardiac arrest, the initial dose is 300 mg given IV push. If VF or pulseless VT continues, a second dose of 150 mg IV push may be given in 3-5 minutes. For wide complex tachycardia with a pulse, Amiodarone is administered IV as 150 mg over 10 minutes followed by a drip at 1 mg/min for 6 hours. Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn

Calcium Channel Blockers for Stable Tachycardia

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/21/22 • 2 min

For ACLS, the use of calcium channel blockers is limited to the treatment of stable narrow complex tachycardias refractory to vagal maneuvers and Adenosine. Calcium channel blockers effect on the heart and blood vessels. Indications and contraindications for their use. Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn  Good luck with your class!

Hs & Ts - Tamponade

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

01/03/22 • 3 min

Cardiac tamponade is one of the reversible causes of cardiac arrest that we should consider when working a code. Cardiac tamponade or pericardial tamponade is caused by an accumulation of blood or other fluid in the sac around the heart. The sac cannot expand so pressure is exerted on the heart, limiting its ability to pump effectively. A history of recent chest trauma, cardiac procedures, and diseases could lead us to suspect tamponade. Pre-arrest signs of tamponade include tachycardia, JVD, muffle heart sounds, and narrowing blood pressure. Pericardiocentesis is the intervention performed to relieve a cardiac tamponade and involves inserting a needle through the chest wall and into the pericardial space. This procedure should only be performed by trained healthcare professionals functioning within their scope of practice. Check out the Pass ACLS Twitter feed on 12/29/2021 for an autopsy video showing a cardiac tamponade. Link: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (https://twitter.com/PassACLS) Connect with me: https://twitter.com/PassACLS (@PassACLS) on Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-acls-podcast/ (@Pass-ACLS-Podcast) on LinkedIn

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FAQ

How many episodes does Pass ACLS Tip of the Day have?

Pass ACLS Tip of the Day currently has 712 episodes available.

What topics does Pass ACLS Tip of the Day cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Medicine, Podcasts and Education.

What is the most popular episode on Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

The episode title 'A Change in rhythm; which algorithm?' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

The average episode length on Pass ACLS Tip of the Day is 5 minutes.

How often are episodes of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day released?

Episodes of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day are typically released every day.

When was the first episode of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

The first episode of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day was released on Dec 8, 2021.

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Pass ACLS Tip of the Day

Paul Taylor

Top 10 Pass ACLS Tip of the Day Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Pass ACLS Tip of the Day have?

What topics does Pass ACLS Tip of the Day cover?

What is the most popular episode on Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

What is the average episode length on Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

How often are episodes of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day released?

When was the first episode of Pass ACLS Tip of the Day?

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