This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Myocardial stunning

Authoring team

Immediately following a DC shock, the rhythm may change to asystole or PEA.

This rhythm lasts for more than one sweep of the monitor and is not associated with cardiac output.

The myocardium may be temporarily stunned and given time will generate cardiac output.

This is called myocardial stunning.

Basic life support should be performed for one minute. All drugs should be withheld as should intubation. Otherwise, arrhythmias may be precipitated..

If after this one minute:

  • the rhythm is still non-VF/VT:
    • CPR is continued for two minutes
    • 1mg adrenaline is given
    • 3mg atropine is given if the rhythm is PEA with a rate less than 60, or is asystole, and atropine has not been given already
    • the non-VF/VT protocol is entered
  • the rhythm is VF/VT then the original VF/VT protocol is rejoined

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.