Genital Organs
Male Genital Organs
Female Genital Organs
Pregnancy, Postpartum Period, Infancy
Growth and Development
Eyes
Ears
Nose, Sense of Smell and Taste
Neurological Disorders
Voice, Speech, and Language Disorders
Pain
Psychological Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Psychosocial Problems
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Neoplasms
Diseases of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs
Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic Diseases
Psychological and Behavioral Disorders
Diseases of the Nervous System
Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa
Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process
Diseases of the Circulatory System
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Diseases of the Digestive System
Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
Diseases of the Genitourinary System
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium
Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
Congenital Malformations, Deformations, and Chromosomal Abnormalities
Symptoms and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings
Injuries, Poisonings, and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes
Pathology
Pathophysiology
Clinical Chemistry
Medical Microbiology
Immunology
Hygiene
Medical Biometry/Statistics
Human Genetics
Medical History
Pharmacology
Acute Emergencies
Radiology
Surgery
Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine
General Medicine
Naturopathy
History of Medicine
Occupational Medicine
Dental, Oral, and Maxillofacial Diseases

Circulatory Arrest

Circulatory arrest, also known as cardiac arrest or cardiopulmonary arrest, is a medical emergency characterized by the sudden cessation of blood circulation due to the failure of the heart to contract effectively. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.

Key Features

  • Sudden loss of consciousness
  • Absence of pulse
  • Cessation of breathing (or agonal breathing)
  • Unresponsiveness to stimuli

Causes

Cardiac causes:

  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • Arrhythmias (especially ventricular fibrillation)
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Congenital heart defects

Non-cardiac causes:

  • Respiratory failure
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Drug overdose
  • Trauma
  • Drowning
  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Immediate Management (Chain of Survival)

  • Early recognition and activation of emergency response system
  • Immediate high-quality CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
  • Rapid defibrillation (if indicated)
  • Advanced life support
  • Post-cardiac arrest care

CPR Protocol (for lay rescuers)

  • Ensure scene safety
  • Check for responsiveness
  • Call for help and activate emergency services
  • Begin chest compressions:
    • 100-120 compressions per minute
    • Depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm)
    • Allow full chest recoil between compressions
  • Provide rescue breaths if trained (30 compressions to 2 breaths ratio)
  • Continue CPR until professional help arrives or an AED is available

Advanced Life Support

  • Airway management (intubation if necessary)
  • Intravenous access and medication administration
  • Continuous ECG monitoring
  • Identification and treatment of reversible causes (Hs and Ts):
  • Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia
  • Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade (cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary and coronary)

Post-Resuscitation Care

  • Targeted temperature management
  • Hemodynamic optimization
  • Neurological assessment and neuroprotection
  • Treatment of the underlying cause

Prognosis

The outcome of circulatory arrest depends on various factors, including:

  • Time to initiation of CPR
  • Quality of CPR
  • Underlying cause
  • Overall health status of the patient

Early recognition and prompt, high-quality CPR significantly improve the chances of survival and neurological recovery.