Cardiac arrest with ‘non-shockable’ rhythm

Cardiac arrest with ‘non-shockable’ rhythm

Cardiac surgical patients with a non-VF/ventricular tachycar dia (VT) arrest commonly have tamponade, tension pneumo thorax or severe hypovolaemia. Prompt treatment is associated with an excellent outcome. Resternotomy should be performed promptly if connecting the pacemaker and atropine fail to resolve the arrest, especially if a prolonged period of CPR is needed, which will be better performed by internal massage.