Tips – Indications for Prehospital 12 Leads
The 12-lead ECG is useful for a number of cases aside from acute coronary events. Here is a partial list :
• Chest pain or anginal equivalents (dyspnea, syncope, near syncope, weakness, DKA, diaphoresis disproportionate to the environment, palpitations, etc.)
• CVA (CVA is often associated with large anterior wall MI’s and/or dysrhythmias)
• Pre and post cardio-version of stable patients
• Post cardio-version of unstable patients (including post arrest)
• Suspected electrolyte disturbances
• Overdose (unknown or suspected anti-depressant)
• Blunt chest trauma (only after transport or more urgent care)
• Dysrhythmia (to aid in the cause and diagnosis of the dysrhythmia)
• Respiratory failure
• Ventricular failure (CHF)
Proper Lead Placement Is Important.
I found the video very informative to the point. However, the intentional speed up of the woman’s narration at about the four minute mark was too long. I felt as if there was something wrong with the recording…. Perhaps if a subtitle or a comment about how difficult it usually is to understand technical explanations would be helpful? “Do lectures about ECGs usually leave you with a feeling of information overload like this?” Just a thought…. Thanks for the free presentation.