Question

I have question , I search for answer but I didn't find yet

The question when the heart stop in the patient and as we know the breath also stop , but I notice in a few patient their heart stop but I can feel their breathing but when I start cpr then ther breath stop what do you think about the reason behind that do you think this is the amount of the air that in the lung before the heart stop ?

Answer 1

This phenomenon is called agonal breathing and it is the struggle to breath following cardiac arrest or any serious ailment. It can occur a few minutes even after the heart stops. This is because, during cardiac arrest, the heart shows irregular contractions (arrhythmia) and eventually stops. But the blood flow to the brain and vital organs continues for a few more minutes. Hence the respiration continues as long as the brain and respiratory centres get enough blood supply. It may also be manifested in case of cerebral hypoxia. It is a phenomenon that takes place in the living and can extend even after death in some patients. In the living, it is a sign of imminent death and requires emergency treatment. CPR has to be given immediately to revive the patient.