At 08:47 AM 08/01/01 +0000, Andy wrote:
>The acidosis in cardiac arrest is a result of low blood flow - the best
>therapy is adequate CPR and ventilation. Remember that the Americans have not
>updated their guidelines since 1992, unlike us lot who updated in 1997/8 when
>bicarbonate was de-emphasised. With the International Guidelines 2000, the
>Americans should now come on line with this approach on the basis of current
>evidence.
For the record :
Bicarb as been de-emphasised for the very same reasons you explain. (Circa
1990s)
Bicarb is rarely, if ever given prehosp. (& is under direct medical
order... ie no standing orders)
What Seattle is doing (IF they are indeed doing it routinely) is aberrant &
I would surmised... part of a research project ! ?
Charles Brault EMT-P
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