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FM/G47 · Advanced medical procedures

Cardiac management

Passages: 11
Reading time: 2 mins
Views: 63
Owned by: Unit Command
Platforms: Every platform
Role cards: 102 cards
Published: 23 Sep 2026

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Heart rhythms FM/BG-1182
Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224
Recognizing heart rhythms with the AED-X FM/BG-1184
Use an AED(-X) to restore a normal heart rate FM/BS-169
Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) FM/BG-201
Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220
Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-221
Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-222
Use ammonium carbonate to increase wake-up chance FM/BS-347
Use epinephrine to increase wake-up chance FM/BS-308
Use a pulse oximeter to monitor heart rate FM/BS-361

Heart rhythms

Rythm	Treatment	Pulse	BPM
Normal	N/A	Has pulse	See Understanding vital signs FM/BG-517
VT - Ventricular Tachycardia	Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220 Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-221 Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-222 + Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224 Use an AED(-X) to restore a normal heart rate FM/BS-169	No pulse	>120
VF - Ventricular Fibrillation	Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220 Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-221 + Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224 Use an AED(-X) to restore a normal heart rate FM/BS-169	No pulse	Unstable
PEA - Pulseless Electrical Activity	Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220 + Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224	No pulse	Like a normal rythm
Asystole	Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220 + Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224	No pulse	0

Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate

After identifying a patient with no heart rate

Perform CPR for at least 2 minutes (or 30 seconds as a medic)
Check pulse
If no heart rate, repeat

Checking a patient's pulse whilst someone else is performing CPR or checking pulse on a limb with a tourniquet placed will provide an erroneous reading.

Recognizing heart rhythms with the AED-X

From top to bottom: normal sinus rhytm, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity, asystole

Use an AED(-X) to restore a normal heart rate

Attach the AED(-X) pads to the patient and press “analyze rythm”
Administer appropriate medication (Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) FM/BG-201) and:
- Shock the patient when shock is advised
- Perform regular CPR when no shock is advised Use CPR to restore a normal heart rate when a patient has no heart rate FM/BS-224

Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X)

When utilising an AED or AED-X for resuscitation purposes, it is advised to follow the following procedure:

Check the patient's pulse
Place AED(-X) pads on the patient's chest and press “analyze rythm”
If shock is advised, repeat until a pulse is established:
1. Administer epinephrine Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220
2. Shock using the AED(-X)
3. Administer amiodarone Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-221
4. Shock using the AED(-X)
5. Administer lidocaine Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-222
6. Shock using the AED(-X)
If no shock is advised:
1. Administer epinephrine Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220
2. Perform CPR for 30 seconds

This process is stopped as soon as a continuous heart rate is detected.

Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm

Administer epinephrine to:
- Increase heart rate
- Increase blood pressure
- Support CPR-based resuscitation
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) FM/BG-201 for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 6 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing

Use amiodarone to manage the cardiac rhythm

Administer amiodarone to:
- Support CPR-based resuscitation
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) FM/BG-201 for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 4 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- a decrease in heart rate

Use lidocaine to manage the cardiac rhythm

Administer lidocaine to:
- Support AED-based resuscitation (see Recommended process for treating cardiac arrest with an AED(-X) FM/BG-201 for more information)
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 2 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing

Use ammonium carbonate to increase wake-up chance

Administer ammonium carbonate to increase wake-up chance
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than once every 30 seconds to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- an increase in heart rate

Use epinephrine to increase wake-up chance

Administer epinephrine to increase a stable patient's wake-up chance
Limit frequency of consumption to no more than 6 times every 2 minutes to avoid overdosing
Be aware of side effects:
- an increase in heart rate
- an increase in blood pressure

See Use epinephrine to manage the cardiac rhythm FM/BS-220 for usage of this medication for resuscitation purposes.