Prehospital Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Developed out of the authors' numerous years of successful classroom instruction to hundreds of students in ACLS courses. This volume contains 14 chapters that provide the core information necessary to prepare a candidate for the American Heart Association's ACLS Provider course. Concepts are presented in a logical manner that allows the reader to progress from a foundation of basic core knowledge (first six chapters) to more complex case management material. As the chapters progress, the information, cases and algorithms become more complex, requiring integration of the knowledge gained in previous chapters. Continuous reinforcement is a critical aspect of this book and will give readers the understanding necessary to pass ACLS and the confidence to use it. The volume presents key concepts of advanced cardiac life support, systematic approach to emergency cardiac care, airway management, ventilation, and oxygen therapy, gaining intravenous access, monitoring and dysrhythmia recognition, 12-lead electrocardiographic interpretation, electrical therapy, pharmacological therapy, acute coronary syndromes, algorithms and emergency cardiac care protocols, prehospital cardiac emergency scenarios, acute stroke, special resuscitation situations and special treatment considerations in the prehospital environment. For paramedics and EMTs.