RT Book, Section A1 Albert, Christine A1 H. Sauer, William A2 Loscalzo, Joseph A2 Fauci, Anthony A2 Kasper, Dennis A2 Hauser, Stephen A2 Longo, Dan A2 Jameson, J. Larry SR Print(0) ID 1206273952 T1 Cardiovascular Collapse, Cardiac Arrest, and Sudden Cardiac Death T2 Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781264268504 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1206273952 RD 2024/03/28 AB Cardiovascular collapse is severe hypotension from acute cardiac dysfunction or loss of peripheral vasculature resistance resulting in cerebral hypoperfusion and loss of consciousness (See Table 306-1). This condition can be the result of a cardiac arrhythmia, severe myocardial or valvular dysfunction, loss of vascular tone, and/or acute disruption of venous return. When an effective circulation is restored spontaneously, patients present with syncope (see Chap. 21). In the absence of spontaneous resolution, then cardiac arrest occurs, ultimately resulting in death if resuscitation attempts are unsuccessful or not initiated. Underlying etiologies for cardiovascular collapse include benign conditions, such as neurocardiogenic syncope, but also life-threatening conditions including: ventricular tachyarrhythmias; severe bradycardia; severely depressed myocardial contractility, as with massive acute myocardial infarction (MI) or pulmonary embolus; and other catastrophic events interfering with cardiac function such as myocardial rupture with cardiac tamponade or papillary muscle rupture with torrential mitral regurgitation.