Pulseless electrical activity, known commonly as PEA, is a condition where the electrical activity of the heart may appear normal but it is not accompanied by the mechanical function of the heart, and no pulse is present
Treatable causes include:
- Pulmonary thrombosis
- Coronary thrombosis
- Tension pneumothorax
- Cardiac tamponade
- Hypovolemia
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypoxia
- Acidosis
Medical professionals should rule out the treatable H’s and T’s as underlying causes for PEA to help correct the mechanical dissociation causing the cardiac arrest.
The ECG interpretation can be the same as a normal sinus rhythm. In PEA, it is important to treat the patient’s symptoms, not just the rhythm displayed on the monitor.