Death of my Mother.

[beverley-stringer]

  Back in September my Mother was admitted to hospital suffering from Acute Pancreatitis. After two weeks she was transfered to a hospital in Leeds under a Professor Mcmahon who we were told specialised in this field. My mother was diagnosed with a pancreatic abcess (abscess) and a drain was put in place. To cut a long story short Professor Mcmahon was pleased with the progress my mother was making. Then at 1am on Friday 16th October my mother vomited,aspirated which sent her body into shock and subsequently her heart stopped. It took 10 minutes to restart her heart by then the family were told her brain had ben starved of too much oxygen and she would not recover. We made the agonising decision of swithching off the life support machine on Saturday 17th October. My mother passed away 3hrs later. What I wish to know is why the medical team did not use a defibrillator on her they only used CPR and drugs. We were told that because my mothers heart had no electrical activity to defibrillate her would have achieved nothing. I would appreciate your comments.
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Dear  Beverly,
I am sorry to hear about the death of your mother.  While it is our policy not to comment on specific cases I can say that there is a  high mortality from pancreatitis.  The specific management of the cardiac arrest would depend upon the type of heart rhythm.  If the rhythm was asystole (absence of electrical activity) than defibrillation is not used.  
Again, I am sorry to hear of your mothers sudden death and hope you find comfort in your family and clergy.
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