Asystole resident survival guide: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:02, 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

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ===Common Causes===
+*[[Hypovolemia|'''H'''ypovolemia]]
+*[[Hypoxia (medical)|'''H'''ypoxia]]
+*[[Hydrogen|'''H'''ydrogen]] ions ([[Acidosis]])
+*[[Hypothermia|'''H'''ypothermia]]
+*[[Hyperkalemia|'''H'''yperkalemia]] or [[Hypokalemia|'''H'''ypokalemia]]
+*[[Hypoglycemia|'''H'''ypoglycemia]]
+*[[Tablets|'''T'''ablets]] or [[Toxins|'''T'''oxins]] ([[Drug overdose]])
+*[[Cardiac tamponade|Cardiac '''T'''amponade]]
+*[[Tension pneumothorax|'''T'''ension pneumothorax]]
+*[[Thrombosis|'''T'''hrombosis]] ([[Myocardial infarction]])
+*[[Thrombosis|'''T'''hrombosis]] ([[Pulmonary embolism]])
+*[[Physical trauma|'''T'''rauma]] ([[Hypovolemia]] from blood loss)
 ==Management==