What does “pulseless electrical activity” (PEA) indicate?

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) refers to a condition in which there is organized electrical activity coming from the heart, as detected on an electrocardiogram, but this activity does not result in an effective mechanical contraction, leading to the absence of detectable pulses. In other words, while the heart may show a coordinated rhythm, such as a normal sinus rhythm, it is not pumping blood effectively, which is why the patient is pulseless.

This situation often arises due to various underlying causes, such as severe hypovolemia, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, or other issues that impair the heart’s ability to effectively circulate blood, despite showing organized electrical activity. Recognizing PEA is critical in emergency medical settings since it requires immediate intervention, typically advanced life support measures, to identify and treat the underlying cause.

In contrast, the other options misrepresent the nature of PEA. A disorganized heart rhythm would not characterize PEA, as it specifically involves organized activity. Fibrillation indicates chaotic electrical activity without any organized rhythm, which is different from the organized rhythms seen in PEA. Lastly, the phrase "a cardiac arrest with no electrical activity" describes asystole, which is a complete absence of electrical