Asystole resident survival guide: Difference between revisions
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===Common Causes=== | ===Common Causes=== | ||
*[[Hydrogen|'''H'''ydrogen]] ions ([[Acidosis]]) | *[[Hydrogen|'''H'''ydrogen]] ions ([[Acidosis]]) | ||
*[[Hyperkalemia|'''H'''yperkalemia]] or [[Hypokalemia|'''H'''ypokalemia]] | *[[Hyperkalemia|'''H'''yperkalemia]] or [[Hypokalemia|'''H'''ypokalemia]] | ||
*[[Hypoglycemia|'''H'''ypoglycemia]] | *[[Hypoglycemia|'''H'''ypoglycemia]] | ||
*[[Hypothermia|'''H'''ypothermia]] | |||
*[[Hypovolemia|'''H'''ypovolemia]] | |||
*[[Hypoxia (medical)|'''H'''ypoxia]] | |||
*[[Cardiac tamponade|Cardiac '''T'''amponade]] | |||
*[[Tablets|'''T'''ablets]] or [[Toxins|'''T'''oxins]] ([[Drug overdose]]) | *[[Tablets|'''T'''ablets]] or [[Toxins|'''T'''oxins]] ([[Drug overdose]]) | ||
*[[Tension pneumothorax|'''T'''ension pneumothorax]] | *[[Tension pneumothorax|'''T'''ension pneumothorax]] | ||
*[[Thrombosis|'''T'''hrombosis]] ([[Myocardial infarction]]) | *[[Thrombosis|'''T'''hrombosis]] ([[Myocardial infarction]]) | ||
Revision as of 19:03, 10 September 2013
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mahmoud Sakr, M.D. [2]
Definition
Asystole is a state of no cardiac electrical activity, hence no contractions of the myocardium and no cardiac output or blood flow. Asystole is also known as a cardiac arrest rhythm in which there is no distinct electrical activity on ECG. A (flat line) is another acronym for asystole. In asystole, the heart will not respond to defibrillation because it is already depolarized.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Asystole is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes. Life-threatening conditions can result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
- Hydrogen ions (Acidosis)
- Hyperkalemia or Hypokalemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypothermia
- Hypovolemia
- Hypoxia
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Tablets or Toxins (Drug overdose)
- Tension pneumothorax
- Thrombosis (Myocardial infarction)
- Thrombosis (Pulmonary embolism)
- Trauma (Hypovolemia from blood loss)