Flatline
A flatline is an electrical time sequence measurement that shows no activity and therefore, when represented, shows a flat line instead of a moving one. It almost always refers to either a flatlined electrocardiogram, where the heart shows no electrical activity (asystole), or to a flat electroencephalogram, in which the brain shows no electrical activity (brain death). Both of these specific cases are involved in various definitions of death. ECG/EKG (Electrocardiogram/Cardiac) flatline A cardiac flatline is also called asystole. It can possibly be generated by malfunction of the electrocardiography device, but it is recommended to first rule out true asystole because of the emergence of such condition. Definition: A cardiac flatline is referred to as asystole. It can be identified by using an ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram) test. Asystole occurs when the electrical and mechanical activities of the heart stop. Causes: ECG/EKG flatline or asystole occurs when the heart's electrical and mechanical activities stop. It also results from other causes such as hypoxia, acidosis, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hypovolemia, toxins, pulmonary thrombosis, and coronary thrombosis. Additional causes could also include tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade. These conditions should be treated immediately when identified. ECG flat line also occurs when the electrocardiographic (ECG/EKG) leads or recording electrodes are placed incorrectly. It can be caused by malfunction of the electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) machine. Diagnosis: ECG flatline or asystole is diagnosed when a person, who is in cardiac arrest (the heart stops beating), is experiencing the following conditions: unresponsive to stimuli, without breathing or a palpable pulse. The eclectrocardiogram (ECG) test records the heart's electrical activity and will show a flat line if the heart stops beating. EEG (Electroencephalogram/Neurological) flatline Definition: A neurological flatline is referred to as brain death. It can be identified by using an EEG (electroencephalogram) test. Brain death is the loss of function of the brain, the cerebrum, that is responsible for thinking and the deep brain or the brain stem that is responsible for the breathing and reflexes such as pupillary light reflex (the constriction of the pupil of the eye in response to light) and gag reflex or pharyngeal reflex (contraction of pharyngeal muscle). Causes: EEG flat line or brain death can result from a head injury that leads to brain damage and bleeding. Brain death also results from a lack of blood flow to the brain because the heart stops beating (cardiac arrest), which is when the ECG imaging shows a cardiac flat line (asystole). Diagnosis: Brain death is diagnosed if a person is experiencing all of the following three conditions: in a coma and unresponsive to painful stimuli, unable to breathe without mechanical ventilation for 10 minutes with an increased blood carbon dioxide level, and unresponsive to light (no pupillary light reflex) and throat suctioning (no gag reflex or pharyngeal reflex). The electroencephalogram (EEG) records the brain's electrical activity and will show a flat line if the brain is dead. Outcomes In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 631 subjects' end of life was observed. Of