Asystole

Asystole (from a- "without" and systole " contraction of the heart ") is a technical term from the medicine. Is understood as a shutdown of the electrical and mechanical action of the heart, the untreated, leads to death within a few minutes.

The asystole can be recognized by a null line (English flatline ) in the ECG. Other symptoms such as lack of mechanical action of the heart in echocardiography and no pulse of the person concerned also occur at any asystole, but can also have other causes.

Causes

In most cases of asystole is preceded by a ventricular fibrillation, which can be triggered for example by a heart attack. Such secondary asystole is therefore not the cause but the effect of a problem.

Only about 20 percent of cases there is a so-called primary asystole. It is usually based on a standstill of the sinus node and the underlying subordinated arousal centers of the heart.

A total AV block without electrical and mechanical ventricular action is rare and usually only passager (temporarily) detectable. It can be seen in the ECG in mind that the QRS complex is absent and only atrial wave (P- waves ) are present. The atria no longer contract yet, but the ventricle. This type of arrhythmia is therefore classified as asystole.

Therapy

Up to secondary treatment by emergency medical and rescue services from first responders resuscitation ( chest compressions and ventilation) must be made. The use of a cardiac pacemaker may be required in addition.

Asystole can - contrary to what the media is partially spread by doctor series - not be treated by defibrillation, since their functioning still an irregular heart activity must be present, which can be rectified in the ideal case again. Drug therapy is done with adrenaline.