STEMI V-Fib Arrest

A patient presents to the ED with sudden chest heaviness that is radiating to their jaw. The patient also reports anxiety, diaphoresis, and nausea. The case starts off with an EMS handoff. Their symptoms are progressively worsening since first appearing one hour before; upon arrival at the ED, they are visibly ill. Learners must show their mastery of EPA 10 and recognize a patient requiring urgent or emergent medical care. They must initiate evaluation, patient management, and care while displaying teamwork skills by appropriately engaging team members. After initial assessment, recognition of STEMI, the patient will pass out and go into full arrest. If resuscitation is run correctly and the patient is shocked twice for unstable rhythms the patient will obtain ROSC. If not, then the patient will remain in PEA and does not recover.

Authored by: Dora-Laskey, A Hess, J Kman, NE Moadel, T Sule, H Thompson, L Yarris

Learning Objectives

– Recognize a patient who requires emergent care
– Identify normal and abnormal vital signs
– Recognize the severity of the patient illness and risk of decompensation
– Demonstrate teamwork skills in managing a critical patient
– Initiate care during a code and appropriately engage team members