ALS algorithm

-

Case study

This case study will take you through an example of the principles of treating bradycardia.
A defibrillator showing a bradycardia rhythm.

This case study will look at a patient where you will need to:

  • Be able to recognise bradycardia and differentiate between the different degrees of heart block
  • Understand the principles of treating bradycardia
  • Understand the indications for cardiac pacing.

The bradycardia algorithm can be accessed at any point via the algorithm tab.

The 6-stage approach and other information will be available in the Essentials tab.

Select Next to continue.

References

See chapters 8, 10 and 11 of the ALS manual for further reading about bradycardia.

Essentials: The 6-stage approach

1. Is there any electrical activity?

2. What is the ventricular (QRS) rate?

3. Is the QRS rhythm regular or irregular?

4. Is the QRS width normal (narrow) or broad?

Any cardiac rhythm can be described accurately and managed safely and effectively using the first four stages.

[hrule]

5. Is atrial activity present? (If so, what is it: Typical sinus P waves? Atrial fibrillation? Atrial flutter? Abnormal P waves?)

6. How is atrial activity related to ventricular activity? (e.g 1:1 conduction, 2:1 conduction, etc, or no relationship)

Algorithm: Adult bradycardia algorithm

The adult bradycardia algorithm from chapter 11 of the ALS manual.
The adult bradycardia algorithm from chapter 11 of the ALS manual.

Settings

Font colour

default inverted high contrast high contrast inverted high contrast soft green on black

Sample text

text looks like thisTEXT LOOKS LIKE THIS

Accessible version

Glossary

Select the terms in the list to see a full definition.
Static glossary
Help Glossary Settings Menu Next 1 / 6 Back