In the management of in-hospital cardiac arrest, which of the following represents a reversible cause (H's and T's) that should be considered immediately?

• A Hypothyroidism
• B Hypercholesterolaemia
• C Tension pneumothorax ✓
• D Pancreatitis

Explanation

The ACLS protocol lists eight reversible causes of cardiac arrest (4 H's and 4 T's): Hypovolaemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalaemia, Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade (cardiac), Toxins, and Thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary). Tension pneumothorax causes obstructive shock progressing to PEA arrest and is immediately treatable by needle decompression at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line. Hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolaemia, and pancreatitis are not among the reversible causes in the H&T framework.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.