OpenHealth Q&A

Reflections on My Father's Passing: A Summary from the Emergency Department

My father was in good health and had been at work when he told a colleague that he wasn’t feeling well and needed to leave. Considering he hadn’t taken a day off in years, it was clear something was seriously wrong. Tragically, after only taking a couple of steps outside, he collapsed. He was later found about half an hour later by another coworker who opened the back door. They called 911 and initiated CPR using a defibrillator, which did deliver a shock. An ambulance arrived promptly and transported him to the emergency department, where his care seemed to last a mere ten minutes. Is this what 'trying' looks like? It’s hard to fathom, especially since he was a vibrant and physically fit 61-year-old. While the medical team didn’t provide a definitive cause of death, I wonder if it could have been due to cardiac arrest. As his only child, I am seeking a professional opinion on this matter. Thank you. **Vital Signs** - **Time:** 8:00 AM CST - Peripheral Pulse Rate: 0 bpm (Low) - Respiratory Rate: 12 breaths/min - Oxygen Delivery: Ambu - Height: 182 cm - Ideal Body Weight: 76.91 kg **General Assessment:** Unresponsive, CPR in progress; patient not alert. **Skin Condition:** Cool to touch, with abrasions on the bilateral anterior knees, more severe on the right. Skin not dry. **Head and Neck:** Forehead has abrasions; trachea positioned midline. **Eye Examination:** Pupils are fixed and dilated. **Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat:** A supraglottic airway (I-gel) was placed. **Cardiovascular State:** Weak femoral pulse felt only during CPR; absent without CPR. **Respiratory Assessment:** Breath sounds are coarse and symmetric with bagging; no spontaneous breaths observed. **Gastrointestinal Examination:** Abdomen soft. **Musculoskeletal Condition:** No deformities noted. **Neurological Status:** Patient is unresponsive, no voluntary movements. **Psychiatric Condition:** N/A **Medical Decision-Making Process** **Differential Diagnosis:** - Cardiac arrest - Cardiac dysrhythmia - Ventricular fibrillation - Ventricular tachycardia - Acute myocardial infarction - Syncope - Overdose - Cerebrovascular accident - Intracranial hemorrhage **Rationale:** This was a 61-year-old male in cardiac arrest, initially discovered by coworkers who initiated CPR and delivered one defibrillation shock upon arrival at the emergency department. He was reported in ventricular fibrillation when the EMS team arrived, having received two unsuccessful shocks and a total of 2mg of IV epinephrine beforehand. Upon arrival at the ED, he was unresponsive with fixed and dilated pupils, indicating asystole. Efforts continued with chest compressions, bagged ventilations via the I-gel, and two additional doses of IV epinephrine, but to no avail. An intraosseous line was established in the left proximal tibia, and a bedside ultrasound confirmed complete cardiac standstill. The patient was pronounced dead at 8:10 AM, and the situation was discussed with his wife in the emergency department. **Documentation Reviewed:** Emergency medical service run report. **Procedures Conducted** **CPR:** - **Time:** 08:00:00. - Performed CPR along with critical care tasks as per AHA guidelines. - **Providers:** Nurse and technician involved. - **Supervision:** I oversaw the CPR procedures directly. - **Total Duration:** 10 minutes. **Line Placement:** - **Consent:** Emergently obtained. - **Indication:** Required for venous access. - **Monitoring:** Conducted continuous cardiac observation and blood pressure checks, with pulse oximetry in place. - **Location:** Left proximal tibia. - **Preparation:** Established a sterile field, identified landmarks, and performed alcohol prep. - **Intraosseous line:** Successfully placed 16-gauge needle, one attempt made. - **Post-procedure Evaluation:** Adequate blood return, fluid flow satisfactory. - **Complications:** None noted. - **Performed by:** RN. **FAST Ultrasound:** - Confirmed patient identity, procedure, and site accuracy. - **Consent:** Obtained emergently. - **Indication:** Cardiac arrest verification. - **Results:** Confirmed complete cardiac standstill in chest findings. Abdomen findings were not applicable. **Impression and Plan** Diagnosed with cardiac arrest and reported ventricular fibrillation. **Plan of Action:** - Condition: Deceased. - Disposition noted at 08:10:00. - Family counseled regarding diagnosis and treatment plan and showed understanding. **Notes:** A trained medical scribe helped transcribe parts of this report. I independently performed the history, physical assessment, and medical decision-making process, ensuring the information's accuracy in this transcribed note.

Answers (1)

12/16/2025, 12:41:01 PM

OpenHealth AI

I'm truly sorry to hear about your father's passing. It’s completely understandable to seek clarity and comfort after such a sudden loss. The details you've shared indicate that your father likely experienced a cardiac event, which may have led to his collapse and eventual death despite the emergency interventions.

Main Points:

• Your father was likely in cardiac arrest when found, potentially due to various heart-related issues.
• Immediate actions were taken; however, unfortunately, they were not successful in restoring his heart function.
• Understanding the factors that could have contributed to this incident can be helpful for you moving forward.

Explanation:

From your summary, it appears your father's initial symptoms—a feeling of illness and subsequent collapse—are common precursors to serious cardiac events, such as a heart attack or cardiac arrhythmia. The presence of fixed and dilated pupils and unresponsiveness indicated a severe neurological compromise, suggesting that he may have lost consciousness shortly after collapsing. The emergency team's rapid response indicates they followed appropriate protocols, yet sometimes, despite best efforts, outcome can still be tragic.

Next Steps:

1. Reflect and Gather Support: Allow yourself to grieve and process your emotions. Discuss your feelings with trusted friends or family, or consider reaching out to a grief counselor.

2. Understand the Medical Findings: If you seek to understand more about cardiac events and the medical processes, consider reading literature or resources on cardiac arrest, CPR, and defibrillation. Websites such as the American Heart Association may offer valuable information.

3. Learn About Heart Health: If you want to focus on preventive health moving forward, consider educating yourself about heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits. This knowledge can empower you to take proactive steps in your own health and possibly inform family members as well.

4. Celebrate His Life: Create meaningful ways to honor your father's memory, whether it's through a memorial, sharing stories with others, or maintaining a routine that celebrates his passions and values.

Please remember that while some events are beyond our control, understanding and support can sometimes provide comfort. Take the time you need to mourn and heal, and surround yourself with people who care for you during this difficult time.