A flat line going across the ECG screen is referred to as what?

A flat line going across the ECG screen is referred to as asystole. This term describes the complete absence of electrical activity in the heart, which results in no cardiac output and signifies that the heart is not beating. In a clinical context, asystole is often a critical situation requiring immediate intervention, as it indicates a lack of blood flow to the body. Recognizing asystole on the ECG is crucial for healthcare providers in emergency settings, as it typically represents a severe life-threatening condition that necessitates prompt resuscitation efforts.

Other conditions, while relevant in the context of heart rhythms, involve different types of heart activity. Bradycardia indicates a slower than normal heart rate, tachycardia refers to a faster than normal heart rate, and fibrillation is characterized by rapid, uncoordinated electrical activity leading to ineffective contractions of the heart muscle. None of these would present as a flat line on the ECG.