A 58-year-old man had a witnessed collapse at a shopping centre. Bystanders started compressions, ambulance of…

Question

A 58-year-old man had a witnessed collapse at a shopping centre. Bystanders started compressions, ambulance officers delivered one shock, and spontaneous circulation returned after 16 minutes. He is now intubated and ventilated in the emergency department; he does not open his eyes and does not respond to voice or to pain. Tympanic temperature is 35.3 degrees Celsius, blood pressure 118/70 mmHg, oxygen saturation 100% on an inspired oxygen fraction of 1.0, and the arterial carbon dioxide tension…

Accepted Answer

Ventilation should target a carbon dioxide tension of 35 to 45 mmHg.

Answer

Active rewarming to 37 degrees Celsius should be started without delay.

Answer

He should be cooled to 33 degrees Celsius for the next 24 hours.

Answer

Oxygen should be titrated to an oxygen saturation of 88 to 92%.

Answer

Prophylactic phenytoin should be given to prevent post-arrest seizures.

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