Medical Term For Squad

[mygirl]

The doctor says my brother in law is flatlining, can you tell me what it means, i thought it was pulse or blood pressure ?
thanks for any help you can give me

[jd_1984]

In what context?
Flatlining means so near death you have no vital signs in one context, which i trust isnt what the doctor means!!??
In an another context to "Flatline" means failt to increase or remain static.

[Peter Pedant]

I am extremely sorry to hear this, I think you might go back to the doctors unless they are saying that they can only talk to the immediate family

It sounds very serious - did you hear this from the family or the doctor ?


It is basically a turn for the worse - a term for the much worse
( unless it is reported speech where it is possible there is a misunderstanding )

[Sqad]

Blimey.......that is a term used during monitoring a patient with an ECG when the heart suddenly stops and there is no electrical activity........not a good sign.

Are you sure that's what the Dr said?

[bednobs]

it usually means no heart beat on the trace (ie heart not working - the line that normally spikes is flat) however, as jd says, i don't think the dr would be being calm about it, they'd be resuscitating him

[Peter Pedant]

erm you can flatline on EEG - the electrical thing of the brain.

You would basically have to be on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. BUT for example if he were admitted with a sserious fit for example then drugs may be given to CAUSE flat lining as a treatment

Hence ..... back to the doctors....

[mygirl]

he has been transferred to hospital from a home and is very poorly, he cannot talk so is not able to tell where pain is. Doctor phoned my sister and this is what he has said, which my sister asked me to find out. thanks for answering.

[jd_1984]

Hi mygirl, any updates re this post?
Best wisheS
JD

[mygirl]

fao jd 1984
he went into a coma same day i was on line, but has since woken and still fighting. thanks for asking