Advanced Life Support - Hs and Ts

Hs and Ts

Hs

• Hypoxia: low oxygen levels in the blood
• Hypovolemia: low amount of circulating blood, either absolutely due to blood loss or relatively due to vasodilation
• Hyperkalemia or hypokalemia: disturbances in the level of potassium in the blood, and related disturbances of calcium or magnesium levels.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: body temperature not maintained
• Hydrogen ions (Acidosis)
• Hypoglycemia: Low blood glucose levels

Ts

• Tension pneumothorax: increased pressure in the thoracic cavity, leading to decreased venous return to the heart
• Tamponade: fluid or blood in the pericardium, compressing the heart
• Toxic and/or therapeutic: chemicals, whether medication or poisoning
• Thromboembolism and related mechanical obstruction (blockage of the blood vessels to the lungs or the heart by a blood clot or other material)

As of December 2005, Advanced Life Support guidelines have changed significantly. A major new worldwide consensus has been sought based upon the best available scientific evidence. The ratio of compressions to ventilation's is now recommended as 30:2 for adults, to produce higher coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures. Defibrillation is now administered as a single shock, each followed immediately by two minutes of CPR before rhythm is re-assessed (five cycles of CPR). See Advanced Cardiac Life Support