Asystole resident survival guide: Difference between revisions
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{{familytree | | | | | | | | | A01 | | | | | |A01=Asystole<br>[[Image:Lead II rhythm generated asystole.JPG|350px|left|thumb]]}} | {{familytree | | | | | | | | | A01 | | | | | |A01=Asystole<br>[[Image:Lead II rhythm generated asystole.JPG|350px|left|thumb]]}} | ||
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }} | {{familytree | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }} | ||
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | B01 | | | | | |B01= | {{familytree | | | | | | | | | B01 | | | | | |B01=Start CPR for 2 minutes<br>Give oxygen<br>Attach monitor and defibrillator<br>IV/IO access<br>Epinephrine Q3-5 min<br>Consider advanced airway, capnography}} | ||
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }} | {{familytree | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }} | ||
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | C01 | | | | | |C01= | {{familytree | | | | | | | | | C01 | | | | | |C01=Rhythm}} | ||
{{familytree | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| }} | {{familytree | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| }} | ||
{{familytree | | C01 | | | | | | | | | | | |C02|C01=Shockable|C02=Non-shockable}} | {{familytree | | C01 | | | | | | | | | | | |C02|C01=Shockable|C02=Non-shockable}} | ||
Revision as of 19:30, 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)
Management
Below is an algorithm summarizing the approach to a patient with asystole. Based on the 2010 American heart association ACLS algorithm for asystole
Asystole | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start CPR for 2 minutes Give oxygen Attach monitor and defibrillator IV/IO access Epinephrine Q3-5 min Consider advanced airway, capnography | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rhythm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shockable | Non-shockable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||