Talk:Advanced cardiac life support

I wonder if people who don't hear ACLS a lot read this title and think bypass

if I just read the title and didn't already know it meant the physician version of CPR (with drugs and defib etc), I think I might think it was referring to bypass. Tom Kelly 16:23, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

Now, in fairness, I do know what it means, and indeed we might want a higher-level article of cardiovascular interventions ranging from bystander CPR and AED, through BLS and ACLS, into emergent cardiac support through interventional radiology, CABG, LVAD/IABP and other ICU measures, etc. This would be a "see also" at the top.

It hadn't occurred to me that the two might be confused, but I'm open to the idea. Indeed, there's a level between the far end of ACLS even in an ER and especially in the field, and additional measures that might be taken by a cardiologist or emergency physician. For example, the 2005 AHA ACLS that comes to hand recognizes electrocardioversion in semi-stable tachycardia, but recommends calling an expert. My recollection is that there's a trend away from cardioversion and more toward adenosine.

Just as an example, I did start respiratory emergencies targeted at the emergency medicine level, but it could do with a similar spectrum ranging from the field to the ICU and definitive interventions. (rolls eyes at some of the arguments about different field airway techniques on some of my mailing lists)

I did revise the definition. Howard C. Berkowitz 18:03, 12 April 2009 (UTC)