Electromechanical Dissociation (also called PEA) refers to which scenario?

Electromechanical Dissociation (also called PEA) refers to which scenario?

• A. A normal or near-normal ECG with no heartbeat
• B. Defibrillable rhythm with pulse
• C. VT with a pulse
• D. Asystole with a pulse

Answer: (A)

Electromechanical dissociation happens when the heart still shows electrical activity on the ECG, but there is no effective mechanical contraction to produce a pulse. In other words, the rhythm on the monitor may look normal or near-normal, but there is no detectable heartbeat. That’s why the best description is a normal or near-normal ECG with no heartbeat. The other scenarios involve either a pulse with an electrical rhythm, or no electrical activity at all, which doesn’t fit electromechanical dissociation. In practice, this is managed as a pulseless electrical activity situation with CPR and reversible-cause treatment.

Electromechanical dissociation happens when the heart still shows electrical activity on the ECG, but there is no effective mechanical contraction to produce a pulse. In other words, the rhythm on the monitor may look normal or near-normal, but there is no detectable heartbeat. That’s why the best description is a normal or near-normal ECG with no heartbeat. The other scenarios involve either a pulse with an electrical rhythm, or no electrical activity at all, which doesn’t fit electromechanical dissociation. In practice, this is managed as a pulseless electrical activity situation with CPR and reversible-cause treatment.