Abstract

OJEDA TORO, Germán Danilo  and  BARRIOS PERALTA, Elkin René. Usefulness of Ultrasound in Cardiorespiratory Arrest: About a case. Univ. Med. [online]. 2021, vol.62, n.3, pp.164-169.  Epub June 30, 2021. ISSN 0041-9095.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.umed62-3.ultr.

High-risk pulmonary embolism is one of the causes of cardiorespiratory arrest with a non-shockable rhythm. Its early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce mortality. In recent years, ultrasound has played great importance in different types of medical areas, which has led to the creation of protocols in order to unify concepts. One of these is the CAUSE protocol (Cardiac Arrest Ultrasound Examination), which allows a diagnostic approach of 4 causes of non-arrhythmogenic cardiorespiratory arrest (severe hypovolemia, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade and pulmonary thromboembolism) using a 4-chamber projection of the heart (apical or subxiphoid) and a thoracic projection through the second intercostal space at the midclavicular line. We present the case of a patient in cardiorespiratory arrest. Initially it was thought that it was secondary to acute coronary syndrome when findings a complete left bundle branch block on the electrocardiogram. However, after ultrasound use, it changed the diagnostic perspective, finding indirect signs of pulmonary thromboembolism which led to changes in medical behavior.

Keywords : high-risk pulmonary embolism; cardiorespiratory arrest; ultrasound; CAUSE protocol.

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