Flatline

Flatline is a term used in medicine to describe the state of total cessation of electrical activity from the heart, which means no tissue contraction from the heart muscle and therefore no blood flow to the rest of the body. Flatline is also known as asystole, cardiac flatline or cardiac arrest.

Causes

Flatline can be caused by a variety of factors, including cardiac arrest, severe hypoxia, hyperkalemia, hypothermia, and drug overdose. It can also occur after a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or during a severe arrhythmia.

Diagnosis

Flatline is diagnosed through the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart. On an ECG, a flatline is represented by a straight, horizontal line, indicating no electrical activity.

Treatment

The primary treatment for a flatline is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which involves chest compressions and artificial ventilation to maintain circulation and oxygenation. This is often accompanied by the administration of epinephrine or other medications to stimulate the heart. In some cases, an automated external defibrillator (AED) may be used to deliver a shock to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm.

Prognosis

The prognosis for a person who has experienced a flatline depends on a variety of factors, including the underlying cause, the duration of the flatline, and the person's overall health. In general, the longer the duration of the flatline, the poorer the prognosis.

File:Asystole ECG.png

An ECG showing a flatline

See also

• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Electrocardiogram
• Myocardial infarction

References

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