[Post-resuscitation stabilization and transportation].
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation does not end with restoration of spontaneous circulation; rather, it must be continued with the application of all the measures that allow organ function to be maintained. The initial goal of hemodynamic treatment is to achieve normal blood pressure for the patient's age by means of fluids and/or vasoactive drugs. The aim of respiratory treatment is to normalize ventilation and oxygenation without causing further lung injury, avoiding hyperoxia and hyperventilation as well as hypoxia and hypercapnia. Neurological stabilization aims to reduce secondary brain damage, by avoiding hypertension and hypotension, maintaining normal ventilation and oxygenation, and treating hyperglycemia, agitation and seizures. Although no specific studies in children are available, data from adults have shown that early moderate hypothermia attenuates brain damage secondary to cardiorespiratory arrest, without increasing complications. After the arrest, the need for analgesia and/or sedation must be considered. The process of transportation to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) requires the following steps: stabilizing the patient, checking for and stabilizing fractures and external wounds, ensuring a stable airway and intravenous lines, assessing the need for nasogastric and bladder tubes, taking blood samples for analyses, contacting the PICU and informing the staff about the child's condition, choosing the optimal vehicle for transportation according to the child's condition and the distance, checking pediatric equipment and medications, selecting experienced staff and, finally, maintaining close surveillance and monitoring during transportation.
López-Herce Cid
J
J
Sección de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid.
Carrillo Alvarez
A
A
Calvo Macías
C
C
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000592:standards*