Oct 7, 2024
UAB holds discussion on sudden cardiac arrest best practices

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm. Breathing stops. The person becomes unconscious. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death.

Emergency treatment for sudden cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED). Survival is possible with fast, appropriate medical care.

uabA recent article from the Alabama News Center shared a transcription of the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s (UAB) medical experts’ conversation about sudden cardiac arrest symptoms, treatment and prevention tactics. Below is an excerpt from the Alabama News Center article.

“The typical signs of a cardiac arrest include abrupt loss of consciousness with eyes rolled back, seizure-like activity due to lack of oxygen flow to the brain, and irregular, labored or no breathing,” said Dr. Irfan Asif, professor and chair of the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine. “Additionally, someone suffering from SCA may have a very weak pulse or no palpable pulse at all.”

Other symptoms that may precede SCA include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness and heart palpitations such as a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. However, SCA will occur without any warning, which is why experts say it is important to know how to respond when someone is experiencing SCA.

“If someone loses consciousness suddenly or has a first-time seizure, you should first assess the person, checking for a pulse and responsiveness,” said Dr. Austin Kane, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics. “If no pulse is found, call 911, start CPR and get the nearest automated external defibrillator, or AED, turn it on and follow the prompts. The goal is to place an AED on the victim and defibrillate within three to five minutes.”

“Cardiac arrest carries a very high mortality, and many people do not survive,” said Dr. Sara Gould, associate professor in the UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “However, with emergency action plans, appropriate equipment and the right training, we can improve the odds of survival. We are seeing people walk out of the hospital after sudden cardiac arrest, where we did not necessarily see that in the past. This is due in large part to having the right equipment available and the proper training to use it.”

SCA can happen to anyone at any time. Being proactive could help save a life. UAB experts say anyone can be proactive by knowing the signs of SCA, knowing how to do CPR, being aware of the location of AEDs, knowing how to use an AED and having an emergency action plan (EAP) in place.

» ALSO SEE: High school football player’s life saved with AED

“Given that SCA is not a common occurrence but can have devastating outcomes, it is important for people to be ready to act if something were to happen — specifically in environments with increased risk, including sporting events or practices,” said Dr. Cam Hebson, associate professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics.

To read the full story about UAB’s discussion on sudden cardiac arrest, click here. 




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