Question 263

Question:

A 72-year-old man collapses while playing golf. He has a 5-year history of angina and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Paramedics arrive in 10 minutes. Examination shows no respiration or blood pressure; an ECG shows asystole. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is attempted for 10 minutes without success. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death in this patient?

Correct Answer: E.  Ventricular fibrillation

This man likely had ventricular fibrillation secondary to ischemic heart disease given his age, history of angina and type 2 diabetes, and his sudden collapse and death. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in adults.

(A) Cardiac tamponade, (C) necrosis of the myocardium, and (D) rupture of the papillary muscle would be uncommon causes of sudden cardiac death and would most likely each present with their associated symptoms.

(B) Embolus to the right middle cerebral artery would produce a stroke and not sudden cardiac death.