Asystole resident survival guide: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:07, 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

Management

Do's

Don'ts

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources

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 ==Definition==
-Asystole is a state of no [[heart|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 [[Depolarization|depolarized]].
+Asystole is a state of no [[heart|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 [[Depolarization|depolarized]].
 ==Causes==