Emergency medical responder (EMR)/Critical interventions/Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

A condition in which an electrical rhythm remains in the heart but the heart fails to pump. Pulseless eletrical activity (PEA) is also known by its older term electromechanical dissociation. PEA generally occurs secondary to several cardiopulmonary emergencies, such as pulmonary emboli with subsequent hypoxia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), Congestive heart failure (CHF) exaperation, or trauma to the heart and/ or pleural space resulting in rupture of the heart or fluid build up around the heart (cardiac tamponade).