Final answer:
The transport of a cardiac arrest patient is dependent on the situation and availability of medical equipment, such as AEDs, and the necessity for CPR. Post-resuscitation care, like controlled hypothermia, is typically carried out in the emergency department after the patient has been transported.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you transport a cardiac arrest patient depends on several factors, including the immediate medical interventions the patient requires and the available resources. It is common for ambulances to carry Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), which are also found in many public places. These devices provide critical support in the crucial first minutes following a cardiac arrest by providing step by step verbal instructions and automatically diagnosing the heart rhythm to appropriately deliver a shock.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often the first line of assistance for a cardiac arrest patient and is crucial to maintain blood flow, especially to the brain to prevent irreversible damage. High-quality chest compressions, at a depth of at least 5 cm and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, are currently emphasized over artificial respiration. These efforts are maintained until an advanced medical team takes over or the patient is declared dead by a qualified healthcare professional.
In some cases, once transported to the emergency department, a patient who has suffered from cardiac arrest might be subjected to controlled hypothermia. This technique, performed by inducing coma and lowering the body temperature, aims to reduce the metabolic rate and subsequently the heart's workload, minimizing damage.