Cardiac arrest

A cardiac arrest is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract effectively during systole. The resulting lack of blood supply results in cell death from oxygen starvation. Cerebral hypoxia, or lack of oxygen supply to the brain, causes victims to immediately lose consciousness and stop breathing.

Causes

In apparently healthy adults, cardiac arrest is often caused by ventricular fibrillation during myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Related Topics:
Ventricular fibrillation - Myocardial infarction

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In children, cardiac arrest is typically caused by hypoxia from other causes such as near-drowning. With prompt treatment survival rates are high.

Related Topics:
Hypoxia - Drowning

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Every fatal injury or illness ultimately terminates in cardiac arrest, which is a natural part of the processes of death.

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