Final answer:
In-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) are often preceded by myocardial infarctions (MIs), which are caused by the complete blockage of coronary arteries leading to heart muscle death. MIs can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest, and may require defibrillation to restore normal heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
In-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) are often preceded by myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack. This occurs when there is a complete blockage of one or more coronary arteries, leading to the death of cardiac muscle tissue. MIs are serious medical conditions that can lead to heart arrhythmias, which are abnormal and potentially life-threatening heart rhythms, and if not promptly treated, can result in cardiac arrest.
A myocardial infarction typically happens due to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque, which consists of lipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, and white blood cells, usually macrophages. Other factors such as smoking, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity also greatly increase the risk of an MI, which in turn may lead to an In hospital cardiac arrest.
In the event of an MI leading to arrhythmias, intervention with a cardiac defibrillator might be necessary. This device delivers an electrical shock to the heart, helping to restore normal rhythm and potentially preventing the progression to cardiac arrest.