Asystole resident survival guide: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 38: Line 38:
{{familytree | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | |D01| | | | | | | | | | | |D02|D01=See VF/VT algorithm|D02=CPR for 2 minutes<br>Treat Hs&Ts<br>Epinephrine Q3-5 min}}
{{familytree | |D01| | | | | | | | | | | |D02|D01=See VF/VT algorithm|D02=CPR for 2 minutes<br>Treat Hs&Ts<br>Epinephrine Q3-5 min}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | C01 | | | | | |C01=Rhythm}}
{{familytree | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | C01 | | | | | |C01=Rhythm}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| }}
{{familytree | | |!| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | |C1| | | | | | | | | |C02|C1=Shockable|C02=Non-shockable}}
{{familytree | | |`|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|C1| | | | | | | | | |C02|C1=Shockable|C02=Non-shockable}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | |D01| | | | | | | | | |D02|D01=See VF/VT algorithm|D02=Repeat previous step as needed}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |D02| |D02=Repeat previous step as needed}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}



Revision as of 20:01, 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

Below is an algorithm summarizing the approach to a patient with asystole. Based on the 2010 American heart association ACLS algorithm for asystole[1]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See VF/VT algorithm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPR for 2 minutes
Treat Hs&Ts
Epinephrine Q3-5 min
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhythm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shockable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-shockable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repeat previous step as needed
 

Do's

Don'ts

References

  1. Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R; et al. (2010). "Part 1: executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care". Circulation. 122 (18 Suppl 3): S640–56. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.970889. PMID 20956217.


Template:WikiDoc Sources