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| {{Infobox Disease | | __NOTOC__ |
| | Name = Pulseless electrical activity
| | {| class="infobox" style="float:right;" |
| | Image =
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| | Caption =
| | | [[File:Siren.gif|30px|link= Pulseless electrical activity resident survival guide]]|| <br> || <br> |
| | DiseasesDB = 4166
| | | [[Pulseless electrical activity resident survival guide|'''Resident'''<br>'''Survival'''<br>'''Guide''']] |
| | ICD10 = {{ICD10|I|46|9|I|30}}
| | |} |
| | ICD9 =
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| }}
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| {{Pulseless electrical activity}} | | {{Pulseless electrical activity}} |
| {{CMG}} | | {{CMG}},{{AE}} {{M.N}} |
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| {{SK}} PEA; electromechanical dissociation; EMD; non-perfusing rhythm | | {{SK}} PEA; electromechanical dissociation; EMD; non-perfusing rhythm |
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| ==Differentiating PEA From Other Disorders Causing Cardiac Arrest== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity overview|Overview]] == |
| *[[Asystole]]: In [[asystole]], there is cessation of any cardiac activity and lack of cardiac output on this basis. In PEA, electrical activity is present.
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| *[[Ventricular fibrillation]]: There is no organized electrical activity present. There are only fine fibrillatory waves present in ventricular fibrillation. In PEA, there is organized electrical activity.
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| *[[Peripheral arterial disease]]: The inability to feel a peripheral pulse may be due to severe [[peripheral arterial disease]].
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| ==Diagnosis== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity historical perspective|Historical Perspective]] == |
| ===Symptoms===
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| *[[Loss of consciousness]]
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| *[[Apnea]]
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| ===Physical Examination=== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity classification|Classification]] == |
| A rapid physical examination should be performed to identify rapidly reversible causes of PEA:
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| ====Neck====
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| *[[Distended neck veins]] suggests [[cardiac tamponade]]
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| *[[Tracheal deviation]] suggests [[tension pneumothorax]]
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| ====Lungs==== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]] == |
| *Unilateral absence of breath sounds suggests [[tension pneumothorax]]
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| ===Electrocardiogram=== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity causes|Causes]] == |
| The appearance of the [[electrocardiogram]] in the setting of PEA varies, but several common patterns exist. There may be a normal [[sinus rhythm]] or [[sinus tachycardia]], with discernible [[P waves]] and [[QRS complexes]]. Sometimes there is a [[bradycardia]], with or without [[P waves]], and often there is a [[wide QRS complex]].<ref>Foster B, Twelve Lead Electrocardiography, 2nd edition, 2007</ref> The presence of a [[QRS interval]] > 0.20 seconds is associated with a poorer prognosis. The EKG should be carefully evaluated for signs of:
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| *[[Hyperkalemia]] (peaked [[T waves]], [[complete heart block]], a ventricular escape rhythm)
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| *[[ST segment elevation MI]] should be ruled out
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| *[[Osborne waves]] suggest [[hypothermia]]
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| *[[QRS interval]] prolongation suggests [[tricyclic antidepressant overdose]]
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| ===Echocardiography=== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity differential diagnosis|Differentiating Pulseless Electrical Activity from other Diseases]] == |
| A rapid beside echocardiogram can identify several rapidly reversible causes of PEA such as [[cardiac tamponade]], [[myocardial infarction]], [[cardiac rupture]] and underfilling of the ventricle due to [[hypovolemia]]. Elevated right heart filling pressures suggest [[pulmonary embolism]]. [[Tension pneumothorax]] can also be observed on a bedside echocardiogram.
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| ===Laboratory Studies=== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]] == |
| *[[Hyperkalemia]] should be ruled out
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| *A stat arterial blood gas will provide information regarding the presence of [[hypoxia]] and [[acidosis]]
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| *A stat [[hematocrit]] can also be checked on the [[arterial blood gas]] to evaluate the patient for [[exsanguination]]
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| ==Treatment== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity risk factors|Risk Factors]] == |
| ===Initial Treatment in All Patients===
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| The current American Heart Association-Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA-ACLS) guidelines advise the following be undertaken in all patients:
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| *Start CPR immediately
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| *Administer 100% oxygen to reverse [[hypoxia]]
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| *[[Intubate]] the patient
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| *Establish IV access
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| ===Reverse The Underlying Cause===
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| The mainstay of treatment is to reverse the underlying cause of PEA.
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| ====Hypovolemic Shock====
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| The most common reversible cause is [[hypovolemia]] (i.e. [[hypovolemic shock]]) which should be treated with [[IV fluids]] or [[packed red blood cell transfusion]].
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| ====Tension Pneumothorax====
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| Another readily identifiable and immediately treatable causes include [[tension pneumothorax]] (not uncommon in the ICU setting). Often in the ICU, this may occur in a ventilated patient, but conscious patients may complain of the sudden onset of [[chest pain]], there may be the sudden appearance of [[cyanosis]], [[tracheal deviation]], and [[absent breath sounds]] on the involved side of the chest. In patients on a ventilator, auto ̶ [[positive end-expiratory pressure]] (auto [[PEEP]]) and rupture of a bleb are more likely to occur. A thin needle can be inserted in the upper intercostal space to relieve the pressure and allow the lung to reinflate.
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| ====Cardiac Tamponade====
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| Suspect cardiac tamponade in the patient with recent chest trauma,neoplasm, or renal failure. These patients will complain of preceding sudden onset of [[chest pain]], [[palpitations]], [[breathlessness]] and [[lightheadedness]]. [[Elevated neck veins]] and a quiet muffled heart are present. There may be [[electrical alternans]] of the [[QRS complex]] and other intervals on the EKG.
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| ====Cardiac Rupture====
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| If the patient develops PEA several days after presenting with a ST elevation MI, then cardiac rupture should be considered particularly in an elderly female with hypertension.
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| ====Recurrent Myocardial Infarction====
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| If the patient develops PEA several days after presenting with a ST elevation MI, then recurrent MI should be considered.
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| ====Hyperkalemia====
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| Consider this in the patient with [[chronic renal insufficiency]] or in the patient on [[hemodialysis]].
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| ====Hypothermia====
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| "No patient is dead unless they are warm and dead." Confirm that a newly hospitalized patient is not [[hypothermic]] with a core temperature. Longer resuscitative efforts can be undertaken in the [[hypothermic]] patient.
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| ====Pulmonary Embolism====
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| New [[right axis deviation]] on the EKG suggests [[PE]].
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| ===Treatment in the Absence of an Identifiable Underlying Cause=== | | == [[Pulseless electrical activity natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]] == |
| If an underlying cause for PEA cannot be determined and/or reversed, the treatment of pulseless electrical activity is similar to that for [[asystole]].<ref name="2010AHA" />
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| ===Epinephrine=== | | == Diagnosis == |
| The mainstay of drug therapy for PEA is [[epinephrine]] 1 mg every 3–5 minutes. Higher doses of epinephrine can be administered in patients with suspected [[beta blocker]] and [[calcium channel blocker]] overdose. Otherwise high dose epinephrine has not demonstrated a benefit in survival or neurologic recovery.
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| ===Vasopressin===
| | [[Pulseless electrical activity history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity chest x ray|Chest X Ray]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity echocardiography|Echocardiography]] |
| Vasopressin can replace epinephrine as either the first or second dose of resuscitative pharmacotherapy.<ref name="pmid19384647">{{cite journal | author = Grmec S, Strnad M, Cander D, Mally S | title = A treatment protocol including vasopressin and hydroxyethyl starch solution is associated with increased rate of return of spontaneous circulation in blunt trauma patients with pulseless electrical activity | journal = International Journal of Emergency Medicine | volume = 1 | issue = 4 | pages = 311–6 | year = 2008 | month = December | pmid = 19384647 | pmc = 2657262 | doi = 10.1007/s12245-008-0073-8 | url = http://www.intjem.com/content/1/4/311 | issn = | accessdate = 2012-09-16}}</ref> <ref name="pmid19390921">{{cite journal | author = Kotak D | title = Comment on Grmec et al.: a treatment protocol including vasopressin and hydroxyethyl starch solution is associated with increased rate of return of spontaneous circulation in blunt trauma patients with pulseless electrical activity | journal = International Journal of Emergency Medicine | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages = 57–8 | year = 2009 | month = April | pmid = 19390921 | pmc = 2672974 | doi = 10.1007/s12245-008-0079-2 | url = http://www.intjem.com/content/2/1/57 | issn = | accessdate = 2012-09-16}}</ref>The dose of vasopressin is 40 U IV/IO.
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| ===Atropine=== | | == Treatment == |
| Although [[atropine]] was previously recommended in the treatment of PEA/asystole, this recommendation was withdrawn in 2010 by the American Heart Association due to lack of evidence for therapeutic benefit.<ref name="2010AHA">{{cite journal |author=2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care |title=Part 8: Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support|journal=Circulation |year=2010 |month=November |volume=122 |issue=18 Suppl |pages=S729–S767 | doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.970988|url=http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/122/18_suppl_3/S729 |pmid=20956224}}</ref> If the pulse is < 60 beats per minute, atropine can still be administered in the full [[vagolytic]] dose of 1 mg IV q3-5min, up to 3 doses. After atropine administration, it can become difficult to assess neurologic recovery.
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| ===Na Bicorbonate===
| | [[Pulseless electrical activity medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity surgery|Surgery]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Pulseless electrical activity future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]] |
| Sodium bicarbonate at a dose of 1 meq per kilogram may be considered in this rhythm as well, although there is little evidence to support this practice. Its routine use is not recommended for patients in this context, except in special situations (e.g. preexisting [[metabolic acidosis]], [[hyperkalemia]], [[tricyclic antidepressant overdose]]).<ref name="2010AHA" />
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| ===CPR=== | | == Case Studies == |
| All of these drugs should be administered along with appropriate [[CPR]] techniques.
| | [[Pulseless electrical activity case study one|Case #1]] |
| | | ==Related Chapters== |
| ===Defibrillation=== | | *[[Ventricular fibrillation]] |
| [[Defibrillation]] is '''''not''''' used to treat this rhythm, as the problem lies in the response of the myocardial tissue to electrical impulses. | | *[[Ventricular tachycardia]] |
| | | *[[Asystole]] |
| ===Pacemaker Insertion===
| | * [[Cardiac arrest]] |
| External and internal pacing have not been shown to improve outcome and are not recommended. There may be capture of the signals, but there is no improvement in contractility.
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|2}}
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| [[de:Elektromechanische Entkoppelung]] | | [[de:Elektromechanische Entkoppelung]] |
| [[pl:PEA]] | | [[pl:PEA]] |
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| | [[Category:Electrophysiology]] |
| [[Category:Cardiology]] | | [[Category:Cardiology]] |
| [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] |
| | [[Category:Intensive care medicine]] |
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