Management of cardiac arrest in operation theatre

Cardiac arrest is better prevented than treated. Cardiac arrest in operation theatre is reversible in 90% cases. So as soon as cardiac arrest occurs immediate treatment should be started. Time is very important factor. Cardiac arrest in patient with cardiac diseases, other medical diseases, electrolyte disturbances are difficult to reverse. The time interval between cardiac arrest and the death of tissue in the central nervous system is approximately three and half minutes and there is ample clinical justification for accepting this period, though patients have survived intact for longer intervals. It can, however, only be completely acceptable on the basis that the patient is adequately oxygenated up to the moment of cardiac arrest. If hypoxia is present before this occurs, then severe neurological damage may result from even shorter periods of ischaemia than three and a half minutes. Resuscitation will often be ineffective if the precipitating cause is not recognised and treated. It requires a calm and logical mind with a good understanding of medicine to sort out and treat the underlying condition while at the same time performing emergency resuscitation. A review of management of cardiac arrest in operation theatre is presented.