Transthoracic pacing

taidan · Apr 17, 2005

I have never seen or heard of that procedure before. Transcutaneus pacing usually works well enough untill we get to the hospital.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Apr 17, 2005

Has anyone ever seen a practitioner use a pericardial needle to initiate emergent transthoracic pacing? How was the outcome relative to transcutaneous and transvaneous pacing?

no.

was the pt in asystole or 3'???

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2005

Good question, however I've never seen an example so take your pick!

no.
was the pt in asystole or 3'???

BSNinTX · Apr 17, 2005

I presume from your userID that you are a TAMUCC grad? I am a class of 2000 grad. Glad to see more of us around!

Has anyone ever seen a practitioner use a pericardial needle to initiate emergent transthoracic pacing? How was the outcome relative to transcutaneous and transvaneous pacing?

Trauma Columnist · Apr 17, 2005

Never seen this done.

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2005

Hey, good to see you too, what area do you work in?

I presume from your userID that you are a TAMUCC grad? I am a class of 2000 grad. Glad to see more of us around!

lifeLONGstudent · Apr 21, 2005

Has anyone ever seen a practitioner use a pericardial needle to initiate emergent transthoracic pacing? How was the outcome relative to transcutaneous and transvaneous pacing?

Eric,

Just curious - why would they do this? Seems a lot more invasive (infection and other "uh-oh" factors) than just using the pacer pads and TCP (easier, faster, non-invasive).

I am not condemning, just curious. Thanks for explaining,

lifeLONGstudent

BSNinTX · Apr 22, 2005

Correctional nursing in Bastrop (TX).

Hey, good to see you too, what area do you work in?

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2005

I wanted to know if it was associated with better outcomes as far as effectiveness.

Eric,
Just curious - why would they do this? Seems a lot more invasive (infection and other "uh-oh" factors) than just using the pacer pads and TCP (easier, faster, non-invasive).
I am not condemning, just curious. Thanks for explaining,
lifeLONGstudent

lifeLONGstudent · Apr 24, 2005

I wanted to know if it was associated with better outcomes as far as effectiveness.

ahhhhh, good answer... I never thought of that. :smackingf so, have you found any interesting studies about this? Tell us more

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Apr 26, 2005

I have not seen nor assisted with a transthoracic pacer in YEARS. Way back when (before transcutaneous pacers) we had 2 choices to emergently pace a patient, transvenous and transthoracic. Once in a great while an ED physician or cardiologist would decide they would try the transthoracic route.

Pretty simple really, percutaneous stick through the chest wall until you hit myocardium, hook up to a pacer box and pace (or try to pace) away. Since it has been literally YEARS since I have seen this done I could not reliably comment as to how successful we were. Anecdotally I can recall some successes and some failures.

Did not know the equipment still existed.