Circulation

• Post-arrest patients are a heterogeneous group
• Post-ROSC patients are usually haemodynamically unstable
• Their fluid status and fluid-responsiveness is difficult to judge

The target mean arterial pressure (MAP) should take into account the following:

• Their normal blood pressure
• The estimated cardiac (dys)function
• The cause of cardiac arrest

Current evidence recommends aiming for a MAP of around 65mmHg. [2,5]

Judicious fluid challenges of 125-500ml should be given to optimise pre-load and perfusion with early consideration of inotropic support.

There is a conflicting need to perfuse the post-ischaemic brain (which may have lost autoregulation) without too much strain on the post-ischaemic heart. [3]