PRE-CON – The Last Pulse – Managing Traumatic Cardiac Arrest
In medical cardiac arrest, we restart the heart. In traumatic cardiac arrest, we first have to ask why the heart stopped. If we don’t correct the underlying cause, CPR alone won’t save the patient.
This evidence-based session will challenge emergency responders to rethink the management of traumatic cardiac arrest. Participants will explore the key differences between medical and traumatic arrests while focusing on the rapid identification and treatment of reversible causes. Through current research, practical case discussions, and proven prehospital interventions, attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence to make critical decisions that can improve patient outcomes when every second counts.
Objectives:
- Differentiate between the assessment and management priorities of medical and traumatic cardiac arrest.
- Identify the reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest and prioritize interventions that address the underlying injury.
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies to improve decision-making during traumatic cardiac arrest resuscitations.
- Recognize when rapid, cause-directed interventions are more effective than traditional CPR-focused resuscitation alone.