Cardiac arrest

From ArticleWorld

The Cardiac arrest is a medical condition characterized by cessation of normal blood flow in one's body, due to ventricles contracting ineffectively during the systole. Blood flow failure leads to cell death due to lack of oxygen. If blood flow is disturbed for a longer time, it can cause cerebral hypoxia, characterized by loss of consciousness and cessation of breathing.

A Cardiac arrest should always be treated as a medical emergency, as it invariably leads to death if it is not treated. Sometimes, resuscitation actions may not be performed by the medical personnel, if a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order or an Advanced Health Directive is present.

Etiology

The predominant disease associated with CA is the Coronary artery disease. This is the leading cause of CAs, but other causes are present too -- including electrocution or cardiomyopathies. CAs in children are usually caused by a hypoxia occurring due to other causes, like near-drowning. It is also normal for all fatal conditions to terminate with a CA, which is a natural process associated with death.

Treatment and diagnose

Some causes are treatable. These treatable causes include cardiac tamponade, mechanical obstruction to blood flow to or from the heart like pulmonary thromboembolism, lack of oxygen, decreasing of blood volume due to hemorrhage, or hypothermia.

A diagnose of CA can be given if the person is unconscious and has no pulse. An ECG can clarify more, including causes or complications, but treatment should be done immediately.

First aid should consist of CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation). However, CPR is not sufficient by itself. Less than 15% of the cases of CA can be remedied only by CPR. However, associated with other resuscitating actions, CPR can be useful. It is especially useful because it can buy time until trained personnel arrives. Help should be called immediately, because every second is important.

Field care consists of applying advanced life support protocols. Trained personnel may refuse to perform resuscitation if a valid Do Not Resuscitate order or an Advanced Health Directive is present.

Hospital treatment is performed under an emergency status, requiring immediate response by a team of trained doctors and nurses. ACLS is continued, until the patient is resuscitated or is declared dead by a doctor.

Codes

• ICD-10 code: I46
• ICD-9 code: 427.5