Overdose – 25-year old female
Female patient went into cardiac arrest in a car. Police and fire placed her on the EleGARD™ System and performed manual ACD CPR with an ITD, and gave her Narcan for a possible drug overdose. She was in VF, an unusual rhythm for a drug overdose. She started to breathe and move her eyes once CPR started, but the first AED shock failed. CPR was continued, and she remained in VF. With the second shock she loudly moaned. She regained a pulse and was breathing on her own by the time the ALS ambulance arrived, and she awakened shortly thereafter.
What is remarkable?
Patients rarely move or respond to pain during CPR. This patient was moaning while being shocked by first responders, implying that blood circulation was sufficient to generate a response. She did not remember getting shocked.