Cardiac Arrest / heart attack

Cardiac arrest may be the end result of a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Much like hypotension, the possible causes of a myocardial infarction are numerous.  If a patient does indeed have a myocardial infarction during his/her stay in the ICU there are multiple levels of responses from different disciplines of the hospital to come to the aid of that patient.  During such a response, the staff follows strict protocols designed to restore patient’s breathing and heart function. Cardiac arrest as a result of medical negligence in the ICU would be very unusual.  It is however possible that under certain conditions, including overcrowded and understaffed ICU, vital parameters can be overlooked with catastrophic consequences.  Oversight of any data with lack of prompt response to a myocardial infarction constitutes deviation from the standard of care.