Electrocardiographic characteristics in EMD

Little has been written concerning the initial electrocardiographic (EKG) characteristics and/or changes which occur as the result of treatment in the electromechanical dissociation (EMD) patient. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine predictive indicators of successful resuscitation in EMD by evaluating various EKG parameters. During 72 months, ending December 31st, 1985, there were 503 non-poisoned, prehospital adult cardiac arrest patients whose initial rhythm was EMD. All patients had their initial prehospital EKG rhythm strip evaluated for rhythm type, rate, the presence of P waves, QT interval and QRS interval. In successfully resuscitated patients, the prehospital initial rhythm analysis and the rhythm analysis on emergency department presentation were compared. Successfully resuscitated patients presenting with EMD had significantly faster initial rates, higher incidences of P waves and average QRS and QT intervals shorter than patients not responding to therapy. Furthermore, successfully resuscitated patients had significantly increased heart rates, developed new onset of P waves, and shortened QT intervals in response to treatment. Successfully resuscitated and save patients had average initial and final QRS complex lengths within normal limits. Organized atrial activity on the initial EKG was also correlated with successful resuscitation. No patient with an initial EKG rhythm of second or third degree AV block survived to hospital discharge. No patient who presented to the emergency department with atrial fibrillation survived to hospital discharge. Similarly, supraventricular tachycaydia following resuscitative efforts appeared to be associated with a negative outcome. Rate normalization following treatment was correlated with save rate. Wide complex rhythms without atrial activity were most highly associated with unsuccessful resuscitation. We believe these observed electrocardiographic characteristics and/or changes in response to treatment may have predictive value in evaluating patients with EMD.