Question 1

why bother defibrillating if asystole?

Accepted Answer

Asystole: Indication for defibrillation are tachyarrhythmias, not asystole.

Question 2

vtac/vfib vs asystole?

Accepted Answer

Both critical: Asystole mean ther is no heart activity the heart is not beating or moving in any way, it is the rhythm that a patient has when they are pronounced dead. Vtac and vfib are potential reversibly life threatening rhythms where the heart still has activity but it is not synchronized to provide forward blood flow. When recognized immediately there are interventions to reverse these two rhythm.

Question 3

how do you save a asystole patient?

Accepted Answer

ACLS: Follow acls guidelines for asystole. You can save an occasional patient.

Question 4

would paramedics shock someone with asystole?

Accepted Answer

No: Only defibrillate if there is rhythm...For asystole Epinephrine is used.

Question 5

what is 2 beat p-wave asystole? should i be worried about it? thanks

Accepted Answer

?: I suspect you're describing 2 dropped p waves. This is also called a sinus pause. It's usually due to increased vagal tone - a normal (autonomic) neurologic reflex. So long as you're not passing out or nearly passing out (I understand you're not &amp; I wouldn't expect you to), then it's perfectly within the range of a normal rhythm.

Question 6

what are the treatments for asystole?

Accepted Answer

ACLS: The advanced cardiac life support algorithm recommends chest compression, starting and IV and giving Atropine and Epinephrine and checking a rhythm on a defibrillator/aed (but you wouldn't shock this rhythm if it persisted).   That's it - the person responding should also consider treating things that can be reversed.. Like acidosis or hypovolemia etc. Etc.

Question 7

do defibrillators work in asystole?

Accepted Answer

Defibrillator: Paramedics may attach monitor and defibrillator leads as a routine. But defibrillation is not the treatment for asystole.

Question 8

after v-fib, does the rhythm immediately go into asystole?

Accepted Answer

It can: Rhythm changes can occur rapidly in a code situation. V. Fib can degenerate into asystole.

Question 9

about mydriasis&cardiac asystole?

Accepted Answer

? Question: Mydriasis and cardiac asystole both occur after death.  Otherwise I am not sure what you are asking.

Question 10

is asystole the same thing as cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Is a calf a cow? If you are making veal parm? Cardiac arrest is the loss of pumping ability of the heart. That is measured as cardiac output (units l/min). In cardiac arrest it is 0.

Asystole is usually used to refer to the lack of electrical activity in the heart. If the electrical system could be measured, it would be measured in amps (current or electrons /sec). In asystole that is 0.

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Doctor answers about:

Asystole

A member asked:

Why bother defibrillating if asystole?

A member asked:

Vtac/vfib vs asystole?

A member asked:

How do you save a asystole patient?

A member asked:

Would paramedics shock someone with asystole?

A member asked:

What is 2 beat p-wave asystole? should i be worried about it? thanks

A member asked:

What are the treatments for asystole?

A member asked:

Do defibrillators work in asystole?

A member asked:

After v-fib, does the rhythm immediately go into asystole?

A member asked:

About mydriasis&cardiac asystole?

A member asked:

Is asystole the same thing as cardiac arrest?

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