Dying, sudden cardiac death and resuscitation technology

Abstract 

Many nurses will be familiar with the demanding role of caring for a patient who requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation following a sudden, life-threatening illness or event. This paper examines the phenomenon of sudden cardiac death and in particular, focuses on the medical–technical discourse of dying and death in the context of resuscitation for the victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The process of dying is distinguished from the end point of death by drawing upon biomedical determinants and definitions of death. Comparison is made between the use of resuscitation techniques in an attempt to reverse ‘clinical death’ and the notion of a ‘natural death’ that is proffered as a means to a ‘good’ or ‘ideal’ death. The humanistic versus technological imperative is further deliberated by examining the role of the emergency team in end of life care and includes consideration of the effects that medical dominance may have on the dying process. The practice of family witnessed resuscitation is recognised as one way in which a holistic approach to emergency resuscitative care may be achieved.

Keywords: Dying, Sudden cardiac death, Cardiac arrest, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Family witnessed resuscitation