Flatlining: meaning, definitions and examples
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flatlining
[ ˈflætlaɪnɪŋ ]
medical condition
Flatlining refers to a situation in which there is a flat line on an electrocardiogram (ECG), indicating that a person’s heart has stopped beating. It is often used in medical emergencies to describe cardiac arrest, requiring immediate resuscitation efforts.
Synonyms
cardiac arrest, collapse, death
Examples of usage
- The patient was flatlining, prompting the doctors to initiate CPR.
- After several minutes of flatlining, the team managed to revive him.
- The ECG readout showed flatlining during the surgery, alarming the surgical team.
Etymology
The term 'flatlining' originates from the medical field, specifically in relation to cardiology. The word derives from 'flat line,' which describes the straight line seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) when there is no electrical activity in the heart. This condition indicates a lack of heart function and can occur during severe medical emergencies, like cardiac arrest. Flatlining has also seeped into popular culture, often appearing in films and television to dramatize moments of crisis in medical settings. It conveys a sense of urgency and despair, as it typically means that the person is in a life-threatening state. The term became more widely known in the late 20th century, particularly with the rise of medical dramas and an increased public awareness of emergency medicine.