Emergency medicine updates: Defibrillation strategies in cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac arrest is a commonly managed condition in the emergency department (ED), and defibrillation of shockable rhythms is a key component of treatment, along with high-quality chest compressions.

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review seeks to evaluate evidence-based updates concerning defibrillation in cardiac arrest.

DISCUSSION: Cardiac arrest management includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation of shockable rhythms. CPR should be provided until a defibrillator is applied. In those with pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation should be performed as soon as possible. If the arrest is unwitnessed, or there will be a delay in rhythm analysis or applying/obtaining a defibrillator, CPR should be performed while the defibrillator is being obtained and prepared for use. Biphasic waveform defibrillators are recommended. Shorter pre- and peri-shock pauses are associated with higher survival rates. Charging the defibrillator during chest compressions, holding compressions for rhythm analysis alone, and immediately resuming compressions following defibrillation are recommended to maximize chest compression fraction. Two common defibrillator pad configurations include anterolateral (AL) and anterior-posterior (AP). Vector-change defibrillation can be attempted if the first defibrillation attempt is unsuccessful. Double defibrillation (DD) includes either double simultaneous defibrillation (DSD) or dual sequential external defibrillation (DSED), though DSED is more common. DD utilizes two biphasic defibrillators and two sets of defibrillator pads in an AL and AP configuration. If the patient is refractory to 3 or more defibrillation attempts, DD may be attempted. Defibrillator damage with DD is rare, and clinicians must consider the potential survival benefit with DD, patient and provider safety issues, cost, and system-level impact when using two defibrillators.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of literature updates focused on defibrillation can improve the ED care of patients in cardiac arrest.