Acute Care 15: Bradycardia Algorithm1
The Team Should:
Assess airway, Start IV, Assess vital signs,
Determine O2 saturation, give supplemental O2,
if required.
Order 12-lead ECG, Obtain history/physical
Bradycardia, either
absolute rate (<50 bpm)
or relative (slower than expected for underlying condition)
Serious signs or symptoms?
(Chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased LOC, poor perfusion, shock
pulmonary edema, heart failure, acute MI)
| Intervention Sequence | Intervention Sequence |
|
|
In pediatric and adult patients, consider reversible causes of bradycardia.
| Hs | Ts |
| Hypoxia | Tablets/toxins |
| Hypovolemia | Tamponade |
| Hydrogen ion | Tension pneumothorax |
| Hypo/hyperthermia | Thrombosis, coronary |
| Hypo/hyperkalemia | Thrombosis, pulmonary |
References
- Hazinski MF, Samson R, Schexnayder S, editors. 2010 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Dallas, Tx: American Heart Association, 2010 pp 9, 74.