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)Howard C. Berkowitz 18:03, 12 April 2009 (UTC)