Rapid Crisis Management

Here is a rapid rundown of all the anaesthetic Crisis. Stuff from everywhere here.

Quickly jump to the Vortex Cognitive Aid?

Anaesthetic Emergencies

• General Arrest

  • Shockable (VF/VT)

  • Non-shockable (Asystole/PEA)

  • Paediatric Arrest

• Airway

  • Difficult Mask Ventilation

  • Obstructed ETT or Circuit

  • Laryngospasm

  • Severe Bronchospasm

  • Aspiration

  • CICO

  • Airway Fire

  • Tension Pneumothorax

  • Aspiration Pneumonitis

  • Low Airway pressures

  • Loss of EtCO2 (📃 Notes)

  • Post-operative Stridor

• Circulation and Blood

  • Intraoperative Myocardial Ischaemia

  • Severe Haemorrhage

  • Anaphylaxis

  • Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

  • Venous/Air Embolism

  • Massive Pulmonary Embolism

• Anaesthetic and Metabolic

  • LAST (Local Anaesthetic Toxicity)

  • Hyperkalaemia

  • Malignant Hyperthermia

• Obstetric

  • Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)

  • Peri-partum Seizure

  • Maternal Collapse

  • High Spinal

  • PPH

• Neurological Crises

  • Raised ICP

  • Delayed Emergence

  • Seizure

• Paediatric-Specific Tools

  • Neonatal Resus

  • Emergency Calculations/Tables

• Postoperative and Professional Crises

  • Reintubation in PACU

  • Common Post-operative Complications

  • Crisis Aftermath / Debrief

  • Impaired Colleague

Vortex Model