Emergency MedicineAnaesthesia & ICU
Adult Cardiac Arrest (ALS)
Resuscitation Council UK ALS algorithm for in-hospital cardiac arrest in adults — shockable vs non-shockable rhythm, drugs, reversible causes, post-ROSC care.
Source: RCUK 2021 Adult ALS
Step 1 of ~6
info
Confirm Cardiac Arrest
Unresponsive + abnormal/no breathing + no pulse (≤10s check). Call cardiac arrest team (2222), start CPR 30:2, attach defibrillator pads ASAP. Switch CPR provider every 2 min to maintain quality (depth 5–6 cm, rate 100–120/min, full recoil, minimal interruption).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Lipid Emulsion 20% (Intralipid) · Antidote / Resuscitation
- Amiodarone (IV — ICU/Peri-Arrest) · Antiarrhythmic (Class III)
- Lidocaine IV (Cardiac Arrhythmia) · Antiarrhythmic
- Lisinopril (HFrEF / Post-MI) · ACE Inhibitor / HFrEF
- Colchicine (Pericarditis / Post-MI Inflammation) · Pericarditis / Coronary Inflammation
- Clopidogrel (ACS / Post-PCI) · Antiplatelet / ACS
Pathways
- Difficult Airway Algorithm (DAS) · DAS 2015; Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Major Haemorrhage Protocol · NICE NG24; UK MHP guidelines
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Featured in these MRCEM clinical pathways
A deeper exam-focused version of this pathway is available on our sister siteReviseMRCEM.
MRCEM Primary / Intermediate / OSCE candidates: each pathway includes exam-style questions, RCEM/NICE citations, and FAQ summaries.
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.