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When Someone Just Drops Dead From A Heart Attack, Why Can't You Help Him Out?
When someone just drops dead from a heart attack , why can't they be saved? For example, if they are attended to right away and get to the hospital and EMT service quickly, why do they sometimes die anyway? Don t they use the defribrillator and or CPR to bring back the heart? It would be nice for someone with experience to answer (EMT, etc). A loved one of mine has recently fell over dead and could not be saved.....thank you.
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
Hi,
I am frequently involved in resuscitating patients following cardiac arrest. When a patient's heart stops beating effectively and they collapse, there are a number of heart rhythms that may have caused this. If optimal resuscitation is started immediately, then there is a possibility of survival. However, this depends on a number of factors. If the cause of collapse was ventricular fibrillation, and CPR is started immediately which includes defibrillation, then this is the situation with the best chances of a successful outcome. If the cause of the collapse was asystole, where the heart completely stops completely and there is no electrical activity (asystole), then the likelihood of success is minimal despite skilled CPR. Defibrillation is not part of the treatment of asystole. Defibrillation is only indicated if the heart is in ventricular fibrillation (VF).
The success of any resuscitation also depends on the medical condition prior to the collapse including the age of the patient.
If you would like any further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
I am frequently involved in resuscitating patients following cardiac arrest. When a patient's heart stops beating effectively and they collapse, there are a number of heart rhythms that may have caused this. If optimal resuscitation is started immediately, then there is a possibility of survival. However, this depends on a number of factors. If the cause of collapse was ventricular fibrillation, and CPR is started immediately which includes defibrillation, then this is the situation with the best chances of a successful outcome. If the cause of the collapse was asystole, where the heart completely stops completely and there is no electrical activity (asystole), then the likelihood of success is minimal despite skilled CPR. Defibrillation is not part of the treatment of asystole. Defibrillation is only indicated if the heart is in ventricular fibrillation (VF).
The success of any resuscitation also depends on the medical condition prior to the collapse including the age of the patient.
If you would like any further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
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kash's
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There is much advertisement for us all to learn CPR and save lives.The fact is that more people die versus being resuscitated.
I have seen many instances of perfectly healthy patients throwing a clot and gone.Some witnessed by medical personnel but CPR,intubation,and emergency meds could not bring them back.
I remember well,a man in his early 30`s admitted the day before optional orthopedic surgery.Two of the nurses were taking him for ordered xrays on a stretcher.The nurses witnessed the event and started CPR.Emergency docs were there in less than 2 minutes.The young man could not be revived.
I remember the 9 yr.old daughter of surgeons having her heart stopped by a tennis ball.Both parents performing CPR without success.
My own father left in this manner and he was hooked up to monitors.
I can be thankful that he left this world peacefully and not in pain.
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