What confirms the cessation of cardiac function?

The confirmation of cessation of cardiac function is most appropriately established by ECG tracing or arterial monitoring. This is because an ECG (electrocardiogram) records the electrical activity of the heart, providing clear evidence of whether the heart is actively beating or has stopped. In cases of cardiac arrest, the ECG will show a flat line (asystole) or disorganized rhythms (such as ventricular fibrillation), indicating that the heart is no longer functioning effectively.

Arterial monitoring, which assesses blood flow and pressure in the arteries, further supports the confirmation of cardiac function. If there is no detectable arterial pulse, it indicates a lack of cardiac output, reinforcing the finding from the ECG.

While a full clinical assessment by a nurse and manual checks by a physician are important components of patient care, these alone do not provide the definitive proof of the heart's functional status. Observation of vital signs for 10 minutes can also be misleading, as it may not accurately reflect immediate cardiac function in critical situations. Therefore, utilizing objective measures like ECG or arterial monitoring is essential for confirming the cessation of cardiac activity.