Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Electromechanical dissociation: pathologic explanations in 50 patients.

J S Pirolo, G M Hutchins, G W Moore

    Human Pathology
    |May 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Electromechanical dissociation (EMD) in dying patients is often linked to myocardial ischemia, systemic shock, or pulmonary vascular compromise. Understanding these causes is crucial for differential diagnosis in critical care settings.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Hemodynamic measurements in human arterial casts, and their correlation with histology and luminal area.

    Journal of biomechanical engineering·2009
    Same author

    A case-control study of the pathology of oesophageal disease in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

    Gut·2006
    Same author

    Filamin A mutations cause periventricular heterotopia with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

    Neurology·2005
    Same author

    Controversies in female urethral anatomy and their significance for understanding urinary continence: observations and literature review.

    International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction·2002
    Same author

    Von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease activity and proteolysis of von Willebrand factor in bone marrow transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.

    The hematology journal : the official journal of the European Haematology Association·2002
    Same author

    Pathogenesis of acardiac twinning: clues from an almost acardiac twin.

    Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2002

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Critical Care Medicine
    • Pathophysiology

    Background:

    • Electromechanical dissociation (EMD) is a complex terminal event in patients, often lacking a clear cause.
    • It is characterized by electrical activity without mechanical contraction, leading to absent pulse and blood pressure.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the underlying causes of EMD in patients who died after documented episodes.
    • To identify common precipitating factors for EMD in a critical care setting.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of 50 autopsy cases with documented EMD at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
    • Categorization of EMD causes based on autopsy findings and clinical history.

    Main Results:

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Myocardial ischemia was the most frequent cause (44%), including global ischemia and regional ischemia due to coronary artery occlusion.
  • Systemic shock (24%) and pulmonary vascular compromise (20%) were also significant causes.
  • In 12% of cases, the precise cause of EMD remained undetermined.

    • Conclusions:

    • The differential diagnosis for EMD in critically ill patients should prioritize myocardial ischemia, systemic shock, and pulmonary vascular compromise.
    • Identifying these causes can aid in understanding and potentially managing terminal events.