About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiac Arrest Rhythms
Introduction
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, preventing blood circulation. Understanding cardiac arrest rhythms is crucial for emergency care and treatment.
Types of Cardiac Arrest Rhythms
Cardiac arrest can be classified into shockable and non-shockable rhythms:
1. Shockable Rhythms (Can be treated with defibrillation)
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
- Description: Chaotic and unorganized electrical activity in the ventricles.
- Consequence: The heart cannot pump blood effectively.
- Treatment: Immediate defibrillation and CPR.
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (pVT)
- Description: Rapid and abnormal electrical impulses in the ventricles without effective contraction.
- Consequence: The heart does not pump blood to the body.
- Treatment: Defibrillation and CPR, followed by medications like epinephrine and amiodarone.
2. Non-shockable Rhythms (Cannot be treated with defibrillation)
Asystole
- Description: A flatline ECG with no electrical activity in the heart.
- Consequence: No cardiac output, meaning no blood circulation.
- Treatment: High-quality CPR, administration of epinephrine, and identification of reversible causes.
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
- Description: Electrical activity is present on ECG, but the heart is not effectively pumping blood.
- Causes: Often associated with reversible conditions (e.g., hypoxia, hypovolemia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, toxins, and pulmonary embolism).
- Treatment: High-quality CPR, epinephrine administration, and addressing underlying causes.
Importance of Early Intervention
- Early CPR maintains circulation and oxygen delivery.
- Defibrillation is crucial for VF and pVT.
- Identifying and treating reversible causes increases survival chances.
Conclusion
Recognizing cardiac arrest rhythms and acting quickly with appropriate treatment can save lives. Training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is essential for healthcare providers and even the general public.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2020-aha-guidelines-for-cpr-and-ecc
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001194
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33081530/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000918
2. European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Guidelines for Resuscitation
- https://cprguidelines.eu/guidelines-2021
- https://www.erc.edu/
- https://cprguidelines.eu/
- https://www.resuscitationjournal.com/article/S0300-9572(21)00063-0/fulltext
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26477410/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.