As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain that asystole is a critical cardiac condition characterized by the absence of electrical activity in the heart. This means the heart is not contracting effectively, and as a result, it's not pumping blood around the body. Asystole is often considered a form of pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and it's a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Asystole can occur due to various reasons, including electrolyte imbalances, certain medications, hypothermia, or a heart attack. It's important to note that asystole is different from ventricular fibrillation, which is a chaotic and rapid electrical activity that also prevents effective heart contractions but involves electrical activity, unlike asystole. Treatment for asystole typically involves attempts to restore a normal heart rhythm through measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation, and the administration of emergency medications. The chances of survival are significantly improved when treatment is initiated promptly. read more >>

Asystole is also known as flatline. It is a state of cardiac standstill with no cardiac output and no ventricular depolarization, as shown in the image below; it eventually occurs in all dying patients. Rhythm strip showing asystole.read more >>