Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm—2015 Update

1 CPR Quality

Start CPR • Push

  hard (≥⅓ of anteroposterior
diameter of chest) and fast
• Give oxygen
(100-120/min) and allow complete
• Attach monitor/defibrillator chest recoil.
•  Minimize interruptions in
compressions.
•  Avoid excessive ventilation.
Yes Rhythm No •  Rotate compressor every
2 2 minutes, or sooner if fatigued.
shockable? •  If no advanced airway,
VF/pVT Asystole/PEA 15:2 compression-ventilation ratio.
9
Shock Energy for Defibrillation

3 First shock 2 J/kg, second shock

4 J/kg, subsequent shocks ≥4 J/kg,
Shock maximum 10 J/kg or adult dose
4
Drug Therapy
CPR 2 min  
• Epinephrine IO/IV dose:
• IO/IV access 0.01 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of
1:10 000 concentration). Repeat
every 3-5 minutes.
 If no IO/IV access, may give
Rhythm No endotracheal dose: 0.1 mg/kg
(0.1 mL/kg of 1:1000
shockable? concentration).
•  Amiodarone IO/IV dose:
Yes 5 mg/kg bolus during cardiac
5 arrest. May repeat up to 2 times
Shock for refractory VF/pulseless VT.
•  Lidocaine IO/IV dose:
6 10 Initial: 1 mg/kg loading dose.
Maintenance: 20-50 mcg/kg per
CPR 2 min CPR 2 min minute infusion (repeat bolus dose
• Epinephrine
  every 3-5 min • IO/IV access if infusion initiated >15 minutes
•  Epinephrine every 3-5 min after initial bolus therapy).
•  Consider advanced airway
•  Consider advanced airway
Advanced Airway

•  Endotracheal intubation or
supraglottic advanced airway
No Yes •  Waveform capnography or
Rhythm Rhythm
capnometry to confirm and
shockable? shockable? monitor ET tube placement
•  Once advanced airway in place,
Yes give 1 breath every 6 seconds
7 (10 breaths/min) with continuous
Shock No chest compressions

8 11 Return of Spontaneous
Circulation (ROSC)
CPR 2 min CPR 2 min •  Pulse and blood pressure
• Amiodarone
  or lidocaine • Treat reversible causes •  Spontaneous arterial pressure
• Treat reversible causes waves with intra-arterial
monitoring

Reversible Causes

• Hypovolemia
No Yes
Rhythm • Hypoxia
shockable? • Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
• Hypoglycemia
12 • Hypo-/hyperkalemia
• Hypothermia
• Asystole/PEA ➞ 10 or 11 Go to 5 or 7 • Tension pneumothorax
• Organized rhythm ➞ check pulse • Tamponade, cardiac
•  Pulse present (ROSC) ➞ • Toxins
© 2015 American post–cardiac arrest care • Thrombosis, pulmonary
Heart Association • Thrombosis, coronary