"Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. It is defined as cessation of normal circulation of blood due to failure of the heart to pump effectively."
A condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating and blood circulation ceases. The patient becomes unresponsive and stops breathing.
Anatomy and physiology of the heart: Understanding the structure and function of the heart is essential in understanding cardiac arrest.
Causes and risk factors for cardiac arrest: Knowing the factors that may cause cardiac arrest such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure is crucial in preventing and managing cardiac arrest.
Signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest: Learning to recognize the warning signs of cardiac arrest such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and sudden collapse can help in early detection and treatment.
Management of cardiac arrest: This includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation to restart the heart, along with other interventions to support vital functions.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines: These guidelines provide a structured approach to manage cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies.
Medications used in cardiac arrest: Drugs such as epinephrine, amiodarone, and atropine can be used in the management of cardiac arrest.
Post-cardiac arrest care: Survivors of cardiac arrest may require ongoing care to prevent further complications and improve their chances of recovery.
Preventive measures: Strategies such as lifestyle changes, regular exercise, and managing underlying health conditions can help prevent cardiac arrest.
Pathophysiology of cardiac arrest: Understanding the sequence of events that lead to cardiac arrest can help in identifying treatment options and predicting outcomes.
Complications of cardiac arrest: Cardiac arrest can lead to various complications such as brain damage, organ failure, and arrhythmias, which require ongoing monitoring and management.
Ventricular Fibrillation/Cardiac Arrest: This is the most common type of cardiac arrest in which the heart’s electrical signals get disrupted, and the heart muscles quiver instead of pumping blood. This leads to loss of consciousness and requires immediate medical attention.
Asystole/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest is also known as flatline. It occurs when there is a complete absence of electrical activity in the heart, leading to a lack of circulation.
Pulseless Electrical Activity/Cardiac Arrest: A life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart’s electrical activity is intact but the heartbeat is ineffective. This impairs blood flow to the body and can lead to organ failure.
Idiopathic/Apex Cardiogenic Shock: A rare but serious type of cardiac arrest that occurs when the heart’s apex suddenly malfunctions. This can lead to heart attacks and cardiac arrest.
Inherited Arrhythmias/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest is inherited and often presents in young adults. It is caused by an abnormal heartbeat or heart rhythm.
Acute Coronary Syndromes/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest is caused by a sudden blockage in one of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Pulmonary Embolism/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest occurs when a blood clot or debris travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, leading to heart failure.
Hypothermia/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest occurs when the body’s temperature drops to dangerously low levels, which can result in heart failure.
Electrolyte Imbalance/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest is caused by an abnormality in the body’s electrolyte balance that leads to heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy/Cardiac Arrest: This type of cardiac arrest happens when the heart muscle becomes enlarged or thickened, causing difficulties in pumping blood properly.
"It is a medical emergency that, without immediate medical intervention, will result in death within minutes."
"When it happens suddenly, it is called sudden cardiac arrest."
"Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and possibly defibrillation are needed until further treatment can be provided."
"Cardiac arrest results in a rapid loss of consciousness, and breathing may be abnormal or absent."
"Coma can occur as a result of the cardiac arrest when the brain goes too long without oxygen."
"The most common cause of cardiac arrest is an underlying heart problem like coronary artery disease."
"It decreases the amount of oxygenated blood supplying the heart muscle, which can alter its function."
"These changes can, over time, cause ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), which most commonly precedes cardiac arrest."
"Less common causes include major blood loss, lack of oxygen, very low potassium, electrical injury, heart failure, inherited heart arrhythmias, and intense physical exercise."
"Cardiac arrest is diagnosed by the inability to find a pulse."
"CPR and defibrillation can reverse a cardiac arrest, leading to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)."
"Two protocols have been established for CPR: basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)."
"Among those whose pulses are reestablished, targeted temperature management may improve outcomes."
"In addition, the care team may initiate measures to protect the patient from brain injury and preserve brain function."
"In post-resuscitation care, an implantable cardiac defibrillator may be considered to reduce the chance of death from recurrence."
"In the United States, approximately 535,000 cases occur annually (about 13 per 10,000 people)."
"Of these, 326,000 (61%) experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting."
"Cardiac arrest becomes more common with age and affects males more often than females."
"While 209,000 (39%) occur within a hospital."