Post Cardiac Arrest Care

Care afterreturn of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

• Obtain 12-lead ECG
• Consider cardiac catheterization for coronary reperfusionif cardiac ischemia/infarction
• Give 100% supplemental oxygen to obtain oxygen saturation >94%
• Treat hypotension with pressors, titrate to keep systolic blood pressure >90 mmHg
• Check blood glucose; blood sugar goal = 144 to 180 mg/dL
• The goal for EtCO₂ on waveform capnography after ROSC is between 35 and 40 mmHg
• Move to advanced critical care or intensive care unit

Targeted Temperature Management

For patients who fail to follow commands following ROSC after cardiac arrest (e.g., comatose, no meaningful response to commands/stimuli), institute therapeutic hypothermia

In adults, the target body temperature is 32-36 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours