Asystolia is one of the mechanisms leading to sudden cardiac arrest and is fatal unless emergency measures are taken. It is worth finding out what exactly is asystole, when it can occur and how to act in this case.
Asystoliais the lack of electrical activity of the heart and one of the mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest, and therefore a directly fatal condition. In this case, it is necessary to immediately start cardiopulmonary resuscitation and call for specialist help.
Electrical stimuli produced and conducted by a conductive system that activates the cells of the heart muscle to be active and contract. The ECG curve is a reflection of these phenomena and the current flow through the heart muscle. The lack of this activity, i.e. the inhibition of impulse conduction and the activation of muscle cells, causes the lack of characteristic waves and the ECG recording in the form of a horizontal line (the so-called isoelectric line), this is asystole.
Asystolia is a sign of cardiac arrest, contractions, and blood pumping. Lack of circulation causes hypoxia of all cells of the body, especially the central nervous system, which die the fastest, leading to the death of the body.
It is worth remembering that not every record of the horizontal line in the ECG is asystole, it happens that due to technical problems, incorrect electrode application, it is impossible to record the electrical activity of the heart. In such cases, the heart function is normal, it is necessary to properly fix the ECG leads, set the device parameters and re-test. Of course, the patient's condition determines the interpretation of the ECG record.
Asystolia: reasons
Many diseases in their course can lead to cardiac arrest in the mechanism of asystole. These are both sudden, acute and chronic diseases, which in their final stages cause the patient's death (e.g. cancer). The most common causes are:
- hypoxia - too little oxygen in the blood
- hypovolemia - too little blood volume in the blood vessels
- heavy injuries, usually multiple organs
- cardiac tamponade, i.e. fluid in the sac surrounding the heart that prevents the expansion and filling of the heart cavities
- embolismpulmonary
- heart attack
- acidosis - drop in blood pH
- electrolyte disturbances - especially potassium and sodium
- hypothermia, i.e. a drop in body temperature
- poisoning
- hypoglycemia, i.e. a drop in blood sugar
- respiratory arrest due to drowning, choking
Asystolia: symptoms
Asystole manifests itself just like any rhythm that causes sudden cardiac arrest - loss of consciousness occurs, often with convulsions, the patient does not react, does not breathe. In this case, it is necessary to immediately call for help and conduct resuscitation. Additionally, the symptoms are:
- no palpable heartbeat
- skin bruising
- undetectable blood pressure
Ailments that occurred before cardiac arrest (e.g. chest pain, severe shortness of breath) can help identify the cause of the condition and help you more effectively.
Asystolia: treatment
Determination of asystole is only possible with the help of an ECG. Speaking of asystole, it is always associated with cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, and a lack of heart activity. In this case, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation with chest compressions and rescue inhales in the 30: 2 scheme.
This is the so-calledBasic Life Support , which often allows vital functions to be maintained until specialist help arrives. When the team arrives, they take over, conduct advanced life support with drug administration and equipment. During this time, the rescue team tries to determine the cause of asystole and treat it, and after the patient's condition has stabilized, it is taken to the hospital.
In asystole, no shock is provided. Unfortunately, resuscitation is often ineffective and patients die.
It also happens that an episode of cardiac arrest is short - it lasts a few seconds and its work returns spontaneously, such phenomena are described, for example, in the Holter ECG, i.e. long-term monitoring of heart rate. It is correctly referred to as pauses in the heart's work, but some people refer to these phenomena as temporary asystole. If this interruption in the heartbeat lasts a few seconds, the symptom may be, for example, fainting, in which case a pacemaker is usually implanted.
About the authorBow. Maciej GrymuzaA graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of K. Marcinkowski in Poznań. He graduated from university with an over good result. Currently, he is a doctor in the field of cardiology and a doctoral student.He is particularly interested in invasive cardiology and implantable devices (stimulators).Read more articles by this author