Agonal heart rhythm

In medicine, an agonal heart rhythm is a variant of asystole. Agonal heart rhythm is usually ventricular in origin. Occasional P waves and QRS complexes can be seen on the electrocardiogram. The complexes tend to be wide and bizarre in morphological appearance.[1] Clinically, an agonal rhythm is regarded as asystole and should be treated equivalently, with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administration of intravenous adrenaline.[2] As in asystole, the prognosis for a patient presenting with this rhythm is very poor. Sometimes this appears after asystole or after a failed resuscitation attempt.

Not to be confused with Agonal respiration.

See also

References
  1. Garcia T, Miller B. Arrhythmia Recognition: The Art of Interpretation. Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury MA: 2004.
  2. UK Resuscitation Council. Adult advanced life support algorithm. 2010.
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