A 38-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with hypothermic cardiac arrest. Core temperature is 24°C. He is in ventricular fibrillation...

Question

A 38-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with hypothermic cardiac arrest. Core temperature is 24°C. He is in ventricular fibrillation. CPR is commenced. According to Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, how should defibrillation be managed in severe hypothermia (

Accepted Answer

Attempt defibrillation up to 3 times; if unsuccessful, defer further shocks until core temperature is >30°C

Answer

Do not attempt defibrillation until core temperature is >30°C

Answer

Defibrillate continuously at 2-minute intervals regardless of temperature

Answer

Use only monophasic defibrillation at reduced energy (100J)

Answer

Defibrillation is futile in hypothermia - focus on CPR and rewarming only

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest

A 38-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with hypothermic cardiac arrest. Core temperature is 24°C. He is in ventricular fibrillation. CPR is commenced. According to Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, how should defibrillation be managed in severe hypothermia (<30°C)?