#cardiac rhythm monitoring

[claraisabelle]

Cardiac Monitoring Services: Comprehensive Solutions for Heart Health

Cardiac health is crucial for overall well-being, and early detection of heart-related issues can save lives. Cardiac monitoring services provide a vital tool for continuous assessment of heart activity, ensuring timely intervention and preventing severe complications. This service is especially beneficial for individuals with existing heart conditions or those at risk for cardiovascular disease. iMagnum Healthcare offers state-of-the-art cardiac monitoring services designed to keep patients and healthcare providers informed and proactive in managing heart health.

What Are Cardiac Monitoring Services?

Cardiac monitoring services involve the use of specialized devices to track a patient’s heart rhythm and electrical activity over a set period. These devices range from short-term, wearable monitors like Holter monitors, to longer-term, remote monitoring technologies such as mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT). By capturing real-time data, cardiac monitoring services help detect irregularities such as arrhythmias, which could otherwise go unnoticed.

These services are essential for:

Detecting heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmias).

Monitoring heart activity post-surgery.

Managing patients with chronic heart conditions.

Guiding treatment plans based on real-time heart data.

Types of Cardiac Monitoring

There are several types of cardiac monitoring systems available, each serving specific diagnostic purposes:

Holter Monitor

A Holter monitor is a portable device worn by a patient to record heart activity continuously over 24-48 hours. It captures every heartbeat, providing a detailed record of heart function during normal daily activities. This helps detect patterns and abnormalities in heart rhythm that may not be noticeable during a short doctor's visit.

Event Monitor

An event monitor is designed for patients who experience sporadic symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations, over a longer period. Unlike a Holter monitor, an event monitor only records when activated by the patient or when it detects abnormal activity. These monitors are typically worn for weeks or even months to capture transient symptoms that occur infrequently.

Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT)

MCT is an advanced form of continuous cardiac monitoring that transmits real-time data to healthcare providers wirelessly. This system can detect and transmit data instantly when abnormal heart activity occurs, enabling immediate intervention if needed. MCT is ideal for patients who require continuous monitoring over longer periods or for those at high risk of cardiac events.

Benefits of Cardiac Monitoring Services

The advantages of cardiac monitoring services extend beyond simple heart rhythm tracking. These services offer profound insights that guide healthcare providers in developing personalized treatment plans and ensuring patient safety. Key benefits include:

Early Detection of Heart Conditions

By continuously tracking heart activity, monitoring services enable the early detection of arrhythmias and other cardiac issues. Early detection is critical in preventing heart attacks, strokes, or other severe cardiovascular complications.

Improved Patient Outcomes

Cardiac monitoring allows for the timely adjustment of treatment protocols based on real-time data, improving the overall effectiveness of care. It can also help prevent hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients after surgeries or other cardiac procedures.

Remote Monitoring and Real-Time Data

With the advancement of mobile telemetry and remote monitoring devices, healthcare providers can receive real-time updates on a patient’s condition from anywhere. This ensures that immediate medical action can be taken when necessary, even if the patient is not in a clinical setting.

Non-Invasive and Convenient

Cardiac monitors are easy to use, non-invasive, and typically do not interfere with daily activities. Wearable devices provide comfort and ease for patients, allowing them to maintain normal routines while being monitored.

Who Needs Cardiac Monitoring Services?

Cardiac monitoring services are recommended for a wide range of patients. These include:

Individuals with known arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.

Patients recovering from heart surgery or other cardiac procedures.

Those with a history of heart disease or stroke.

Patients with unexplained symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or fainting.

Individuals at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

How Cardiac Monitoring Services Work

Cardiac monitoring devices, whether they are short-term (like Holter monitors) or long-term (such as MCT), work by recording the electrical impulses generated by the heart. These impulses are analyzed to detect any irregularities in heart rhythm. The process involves:

Device Setup: A healthcare provider fits the patient with a monitor that will record their heart’s electrical activity. This can range from a small device worn around the chest to a wrist-worn or patch-like sensor.

Data Recording: The device captures heart activity, either continuously or intermittently, depending on the type of monitor. Event monitors, for example, only record when the patient feels symptoms or when an irregular heartbeat is detected.

Data Transmission: In advanced systems like mobile telemetry, the data is transmitted in real-time to healthcare providers who analyze it and make decisions about the patient’s care.

Analysis: Healthcare professionals review the data, looking for abnormalities such as arrhythmias or other cardiac events. Based on this data, they can make adjustments to treatment plans or recommend further action.

Technological Advancements in Cardiac Monitoring

The field of cardiac monitoring has seen rapid advancements, with new technologies making monitoring more accurate, accessible, and comfortable for patients.

Wearable Devices

Wearable cardiac monitors, such as smartwatches and chest patches, have revolutionized the ease with which patients can be monitored. These devices not only track heart rhythm but also offer other health-related data such as oxygen levels and physical activity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

AI-powered cardiac monitoring systems are now capable of predicting potential cardiac events by analyzing large volumes of real-time data. This predictive analysis can alert both patients and healthcare providers before a significant event occurs, offering an unprecedented level of preventative care.

Choosing the Right Cardiac Monitoring Service

When choosing a cardiac monitoring service, patients and physicians should consider several factors, including the duration of monitoring required, the reliability of the device, and the quality of customer support. Providers like iMagnum Healthcare offer customized cardiac monitoring solutions tailored to the specific needs of each patient, ensuring high-quality care and accurate results.

Why Choose iMagnum Healthcare for Cardiac Monitoring Services?

iMagnum Healthcare is a trusted provider of advanced cardiac monitoring services. With cutting-edge technology and a team of expert healthcare professionals, they offer:

Customized Solutions: Tailored monitoring options based on the patient’s condition and requirements.

24/7 Support: Continuous monitoring backed by around-the-clock support, ensuring immediate attention to any irregularities.

Advanced Technology: The latest in mobile cardiac telemetry, Holter monitors, and AI-driven solutions.

By providing high-quality, patient-focused cardiac monitoring services, iMagnum Healthcare helps individuals manage their heart health effectively and with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is cardiac monitoring and why is it important? Cardiac monitoring tracks your heart’s electrical activity to detect any abnormalities. It is crucial for early detection of heart problems, which can prevent severe complications.

How does a Holter monitor differ from other cardiac monitors? A Holter monitor records your heart activity continuously for 24-48 hours, while other monitors, like event monitors, record intermittently when triggered by symptoms.

How long will I need to wear a cardiac monitor? The duration depends on your condition and the type of monitor. It can range from 24 hours for a Holter monitor to several weeks for an event monitor.

Is cardiac monitoring safe for long-term use? Yes, cardiac monitoring devices are non-invasive and safe for both short-term and long-term use.

Can cardiac monitoring detect all heart problems? Cardiac monitoring can detect a wide range of heart conditions, particularly arrhythmias, but it may not detect all structural heart problems.

Will my insurance cover cardiac monitoring services? Most insurance plans cover cardiac monitoring services, but it is best to confirm with your provider.

Conclusion

Cardiac monitoring services are an essential tool in modern healthcare, offering continuous insights into heart health and enabling early intervention in case of irregularities. With advanced technology and expert support, iMagnum Healthcare provides reliable and customized solutions to help patients manage their heart conditions and live healthier lives.

[tachyheart]

Heart Tour and check every valve and spot with ECG and BP monitor using two cuffs manual and automatic one.

Heart is beating a little bit fast with many skips ,everything is visible and can be listened. I hope u enjoy If some one wanna play with my heart and do some roleplay with me as a Patient. Contact with me.

[sanpdr1994]

Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market 2022 Sales, Revenue, Top Manufacturers, Share, Growth Opportunities, Dynamics, Evolving Technology, Trends and Industry Analysis till 2032

The global Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market is expected to generate a market value of US$ 4,554 Million in 2022 and a market value of US$ 7,658.3 Million by registering a CAGR of 5.33% between 2022 and 2032.

Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices are the implanted heart devices which help to detect abnormal heart rhythms of a patient. The cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices provide easy access to information that allows managing heart conditions, monitor implanted heart devices and helps to obtain information from implanted heart device on an as-needed basis.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe impacts on the global economy at various levels and which can be seen on the Healthcare industry as well. The thriving market of health care research and development is expected to exhibit a steep decline in the sales during the lockdown period owing to the shutdown of the manufacturing units, acute shortage in the supply of raw materials and absence of potential manpower. It can be deduced from the current situations brought about by the pandemic that the production, and supply chain activities have experienced minor hurdles. However, the market is projected to gradually recover post-COVID-19, which will present attractive opportunities for sales across various regions of the world in the following years.

Future Market Insights (FMI) adopted a multidisciplinary approach during the pandemic-era to focus on the growth and development of the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market. The study features insights on the current growth dynamics and the major revenue reforms prevailing in the market as along with the key takeaways over the forecast.

Get More Information: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/cardiac-rhythm-remote-monitoring-devices-market

The team of analysts at Future Market Insights are focusing on research and market study to produce different Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market forecasts and predictions at both national and international levels. They have considered several leads of information pertaining to the industry like market figures and merger estimations to assess and produce reliable and informative insights on the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market.

Key Players

The writer will create content on the general strategies of market players. And then will write the key players in the market are: Medtronic, GE Healthcare (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Philips Healthcare (Netherlands), St. Jude Medical, Inc. (U.S.) and others

Segmentation

The report provides insights on the important highlights and current trends prevailing in the market. This helps the readers to gain a deeper understanding and form an unbiased opinion on the market. Numerous segmentations have been provided for this market based on:

Global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by Product type-

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Devices

Implantable Defibrillators

External Defibrillators

Manual External Defibrillators

Automated External Defibrillators

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Devices

Implantable Cardiac Monitors (ICMs)

Implanted Hemodynamic Monitor

Global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by Modality-

Portable Devices

Non-Portable Devices

Global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by End User-

Long-Term Care Centers

Specialized Clinics

Hospitals

Product Segmentation

The investigation offers a top to bottom evaluation of different clients’ journeys pertinent to the market and its segments. The study endeavours to assess the current and future development possibilities, undiscovered roads, factors that shapes their income potential in the global market by breaking it into di such as its types, applications, and region-wise assessment.

By Regional Analysis Covered

North America (U.S., Canada)

Latin America (Mexico. Brazil)

Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)

Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)

Asia-Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)

Japan

The Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa)

Full in-depth analysis of the parent market

The analysts at FMI are dedicated to provide insights after extensive research and study. The study also includes estimations, projections and evaluation of the market dynamics.

Important changes in market dynamics

The report has been created after detailed and exhaustive studies by the analysts at FMI taking several factors into consideration like monetary, ecological, social, mechanical, and political status of a particular demography. They study the key data to assess the revenue and production of manufacturers across various regions. The report also covers an in-depth analysis of the key changes in market dynamics in the recent past and the near future.

Segmentation details of the market

Former, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and value

Assessment of niche industry developments

Market share analysis

Key strategies of major players

Emerging segments and regional markets

Queries Solved

What is the size of the overall Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry and its segments?

What are the key segments and sub-segments in the market?

What are the key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges of the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry, and how they are expected to impact the market?

What are the attractive investment opportunities within the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry?

What is the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry size at the regional and country-level?

What are the key market players focusing on?

What are the strategies for growth adopted by the key players in Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry?

What are the recent trends in Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry? (M&A, partnerships, new product developments, expansions)?

What are the challenges to the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the growth of the Healthcare Industry?

What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market in the Healthcare Industry?

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Key Success Factors

Global Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market – Pricing Analysis

Market Background

Reasons to Buy the report

We provide authentic and detailed an analysis on various market trends to enable businesses to make informed and beneficial decisions to attain competitive edge over key players.

Our analysts provide detailed market segmentation along with meaningful insights and extensive reports that other companies fail to include.

The report includes accurate analysis of the market and the current developing trends affecting the growth. FMI speaks to stakeholders across the spectrum, including C-level executives, distributors, product manufacturers, industry experts. This ensures that the data collected is from highly reliable sources.

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

DPXDC ~ Dead on main ~ Signs of Death

~~~Eye of Death~~~

Jason liked to think that Danny has cat's eyes. And by that Jay doesn't mean mixture of a predatory look and a cute purr of his boyfriend's core that comes with non-human being thing. Just cats have slit-shaped eyes. Danny have them too. And Todd is so into it.

Jason:

I don’t understand why he takes his eyes off me when I call him Kitty or try to catch his eye. He’s a dog lover but I didn’t think he hated cats. They’re cheeky and charming, just like him. Danny’s not embarrassed by his fangs or his white hair. So..why?

Later Sam explains to Jason that after the portal incident Danny did not immediately learn to live a half-life and for the first few days dropped dead several times.  And because she tested it using Ripault sign, the shape of his pupils ended up looking like cat's one in his phantom form.

P.S.Ripault sign - a sign of death consisting of a permanent change in the shape of the pupil produced by unilateral pressure on the eyeball.  So, a pupil  of a dead person acquires an oval shape, and in a healthy living person such a reaction is not observed. This is associated with the inevitable post-mortem drop in blood pressure and the lack of activity of the central nervous system, which manifests itself in the absence of ocular muscle tone.

Tacker adds that Danny also died with his eyes open, so in his Phantom form he barely blinks. It seems pretty creepy too everyone, well, except Jason. Thanks to Tim he used to have blank stare near him.

~~~~~~ the Lazarus heart ~~~~~~~

Team Phantom also tells him that when Danny's too focused on phantom's task (save, protect, escape) his systems just stop keeping Fenton's body alive.

No blinking and fixed pupils are the first signs Jason has learned to watch for. After that, breathing stops. Only a few times he recorded a complete cardiac arrest. After the battle with Pariah Dark, Danny passed out on the couch and lay without a heartbeat, so the blood clotted exactly where it had collected under gravity. Those cadaveric spots appeared in several places really frightened Jason. 

So during the fight his boyfriend's ghost side stops monitoring functions of his human body at all. And it doesn't help that cardiostimulation for Phantom is pointless. He died from exposure to electricity, so the generation of a signal to work the cells is now under full control of the core.

Jason fights with Danny for a long time, convincing him that he should take better care of his health. As a compromise, they decide to put several sensors on them to monitor some parameters around the clock. Jason curses that it was his idea when Batman enters their apartment at night, smashing the window. It turns out that death is still following Jason. His heart was the one that played the funeral march on the cardiogram and froze, and he didn’t even notice it.

The old man managed to break several of his ribs while doing CPR but Jason only came to life when Danny pulled the hyperventilating bat away from his body and let ectoplasm take its course.

P.S. Lazarus syndrome, also known as autoresuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the spontaneous return of a normal cardiac rhythm after failed attempts at resuscitation. 

[cough-cpr-is-fake]

“Cough CPR” is misinformation

What is “cough CPR”?

“Cough CPR” is a myth which claims that rhythmic coughing can reduce the impact of a heart attack. It has been circulating for over two decades via email and on social media platforms (Wikipedia, 2023).

Why doesn’t it work?

A heart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart is restricted due to blockage. Cardiac arrest is when your heart stops pumping completely (British Heart Foundation, n.d.).

These definitions alone should demonstrate the problem with “cough CPR”. If you have a heart attack, your heart is still pumping, so you do not need CPR. If you experience cardiac arrest, you will fall unconscious within seconds (Resuscitation Council UK, 2021) and therefore won’t be able to perform “cough CPR”.

In many cases, “cough CPR” could even worsen the problem or prove fatal if coughing is undertaken to the wrong rhythm (Snopes, 2003).

Is “cough CPR” ever useful?

Coughing creates pressure that forces blood to flow to the brain (Cleveland Clinic, 2020).

It may therefore be possible for someone experiencing sudden arrhythmia to maintain consciousness for a few seconds by coughing. However, the patient would already need to be under constant monitoring for the arrhythmia to be detected. It should also only be done at the instruction of a doctor, as a medical professional will still be needed to treat the abnormal heart rhythm (American Heart Association, 2023).

Cases where “cough CPR” has been useful have all been isolated incidents performed in this kind of clinical setting (see Snopes, 2003; UChicago Medicine, 2019; American Heart Association, 2023).

Reference list

American Heart Association. (2023) Cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204210831/https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/emergency-treatment-of-cardiac-arrest/cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

British Heart Foundation. (n.d.) Could something called ‘cough CPR’ save my life? Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204210457/https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Cleveland Clinic. (2020) The dangerous truth about cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204205549/https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-cough-away-a-heart-attack (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Resuscitation Council UK. (2021). Resuscitation Council UK’s statement on cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204211021/https://www.resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/resuscitation-council-uks-statement-cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Snopes. (2003). How to survive a heart attack when alone. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204214909/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cough-cpr/ (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

UChicago Medicine. (2019) Can coughing stop a heart attack? Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204213936/https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/heart-and-vascular-articles/can-coughing-stop-a-heart-attack (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Wikipedia. (2023) Cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204211113/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cough_CPR (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

[villain-crown]

forbid | @jegulus-microfic | words: 657

critical care, part 3 (part 1, part 2, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9)

a Jegulus nurse!AU

The thing about calling a code blue was that it could quickly turn into social hour if you weren’t careful. Mates that you hadn’t seen in awhile came out of the woodwork from all over the hospital to get in on the action, leading to a sort of impromptu reunion over the patient you were working to snatch from the claws of death.

“Lily! Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in ages—“

“Dorcas! What unit are you on these days?”

“Oi, Barty, I thought they fired you!”

Like now, apparently, as every person James had ever fucking met decided to grab a front row seat to spectate as he tried to make small talk with Regulus Black.

“It was a lovely day yesterday,” James began when they’d finished delivering a second shock to their patient. “The sun was out. Do you get out much, Regulus?”

James could feel Sirius’s suspicious gaze as Regulus glanced incredulously away from the new rhythm tracing itself on the cardiac monitor.

Still v. fib.

“…No. Sirius locks me in my bedroom and just lets me out four days a week when it’s time for me to be here—what the fuck kind of question is that, Potter!?”

Bloody hell, but Dorcas had clearly lied to Marlene about Regulus’s personality.

Sweet, Dorcas had called him.

No. This was a feral devil cat with a mouth full of knives and Merlin save him but James was so fucking into it.

“I wouldn’t rule that out,” Barty Crouch Jr. butted in unnecessary, watching Regulus’s vitriol land with an entertained expression. “One time I asked Reg if he wanted to check out my new apartment and Black threatened to peel my face off and put it on the CPR mannequin. I still haven’t gotten a proper answer.”

“There’s no need for him to go anywhere with you unsupervised, Crouch,” Sirius scowled, turning up the energy level of the defibrillator for their next attempt. “Just describe it to him.”

“Describe it? Well, okay. Picture it, Reg. You and Evan, in my bed—“

“Stop messing with him, idiot,” Regulus rolled his eyes, finally shoving Crouch’s arm off his delicate shoulders as Sirius picked up a spare saline flush and squirted it right in the blond’s face. To Sirius, he added, “he’s just trying to get a rise out of you, you know.”

“I’m calling HR you fucking asshole!”

“Fine, if you want to play that game. I’m sure they’d love to hear about you taking it from Lupin in the supply room last month.”

“Reggie! You can’t say dirty things like that! I forbid it!”

“I say a lot worse under the right circumstances, Sirius.”

James felt a flash of lightning race down his spine as Regulus maintained unwavering eye contact with him as he said so, ignoring Sirius’s outraged sputtering.

“I told you not to let Sirius catch you looking at his baby brother,” Marlene pointed out in an undertone, sidling up to James in the already crowded room.

“He’s bloody perfect.” James replied, unrepentant. “I’m going to marry him.”

“Dorcas called him sweet. I’m not getting that vibe.”

“Maybe he just needs a little… persuading.”

Marlene rolled her eyes, opening the airway drawer of the crash cart at Dorcas’s behest. “He’s mean, James.”

“He’s pretty, Marlene.”

“…You aren’t going to see reason, are you?”

“Absolutely not. Regulus Black is going to have my children.”

She looked back at the petite man with obvious misgivings. “If he doesn’t kill you first.”

“He could carve his initials into me with a scalpel and I’d thank him.”

“…You’re fucking crazy.”

[phoenixblaze1412]

Hello there!!!👋

May I ask for some angst?

Dottore spending time with his biological child and the more the day progresses he sees his wife (who died a few day after giving birth to their child) in their child (A headcanon and/or small scenario plz)

Thank you!!!

Gonna make me cry anon.. also might have changed it a bit.

Taking care of a kid is a difficult task for Dottore himself. Especially if it was his own. A healthy baby girl, how ironic that she looked exactly the same as you. Neither of you didn't expect such a tragedy to happen, mostly him.

"Sir, she won't be able to make it." Omega stated, watching over your vital signs. Your body was currently too weak to deliver the baby, and being in labor wasn't helping a lot.

"Then let the child die. I'd rather lose the kid than lose my wife." Dottore snapped as he quickly went and placed an oxygen mask over you, tucking away the lose strands of your hair away from your face. He was quick to notice your breathing becoming more heavy and labored.

"Both her and the child will die if we continue with that idea!" the Theta segment exclaimed.

The three of them were quick to shut up when they heard your pained groans. Immediately examining and looking you over to at least lessen the pain you were experiencing but still keeping you conscious.

Dottore was already in a state of anger and worry, thinking up of multiple solutions to get the child out of you all the while keeping you alive but that seems to be difficult since you don't even have the strength to push the baby out so maybe a c-section will do but the chance of you dying is big. He was quick to come out of his thoughts when you grabbed his arm, making him focus his attention to you.

"Zandik please.. promise me you won't let our baby die."

He let out a deep sigh before nodding at your request. Even at times like these, he could never say no to you. He called over a few more segments to begin your surgery. A simple c-section, nothing to worry about right? But why was he, he of all people suddenly felt fear as he held the scalpel upon your stomach.

It's not right. He knows this will end up badly if he continued, he already felt it. Snapping out of his thoughts once more when he heard you cry out in pain, he nodded to his segments to sedate you for a bit as he began the operation.

Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours. Every segment waited anxiously as they watched their creator work strenuously. The once silent room was filled with small cries as Dottore held his newborn child, dirty from all the blood and amniotic fluid but alive and well. Iota walked over to take the baby from Dottore to clean her up as the doctor went and stitched you up while the other segments who were present had cheerful grins along their faces.

Their happiness was quickly cut off the moment they heard the sound of your heart monitor dropping. Dottore glanced up and glared at Omega, cursing under his breath as he finished stitching you up to help Omega with keeping you stable.

"You incompetent fool! I gave you one job!"

Panic. That's what they're all feeling the moment when you became cardiac asystole. Dottore and Omega resuscitating you the best they can, even using electro to give your heart a shock to at least show any heart rhythm but none came.

"(Y/N) please wake up! You can't leave me! Come on! Your child- our child is safe and awake now it's your turn to wake up please!"

It's been fifteen minutes max with no signs of you showing any heartbeat, the segments could only look away, not wanting to cry in front of you. The sudden weight being placed upon them at the news of your death was overbearing.

Even Iota couldn't believe it. But even so, he couldn't cause any tantrums, he couldn't yell or even throw anything out of anguish. He was holding your child at the moment. The baby you left to them before you passed. It took him a few minutes to calm the baby down and wrap her up in a blanket.

Meanwhile Dottore was still leaning over your figure, his hand held yours as he leaned his forehead against your knuckles. Both of your wedding rings, glimmering against the light.

Dottore knew something bad was going to happen. He felt it bubbling in his guts yet he let it happen. The moment Iota walked back into the room with his daughter in his hold, Dottore glared at them.

"I don't want to see that thing near me. Dispose of it immediately. Give it to the Knave or send it someplace else."

Iota was quick to snap at the order, sure he's still in despair about losing you like how the others feel but his creator telling him to dispose of your own offspring is not what he expected to hear.

"What are you thinking?! (Y/N) carried your child for months, having to go through all the hardships a pregnant woman would go through and here you are disposing her efforts?!"

"I already knew from the start that saving the child would end up with her death! I would have preferred to save her instead of the child!"

"Would she want you to?! You know her well enough to know that she would rather risk herself in danger to save a life! She already said it herself before the operation! You promised her not to let the child die!"

Dottore was quick to shut up, looking over at the little figure bundled up in the blankets. Thoughts filled with 'what if's' as he looked back at your figure on the examining bed.

What if he chose to save you instead of his child? Would you even be happy towards him if you knew about his plans?

A soft coo was heard as Iota looked down at the baby before carefully handing her over to Dottore. The doctor was hesitant at first but he took the chance to hold his own child in his arms. The baby let out little babbles and gargles as her hands reach out to the doctor and tried to grab at his hair.

Dottore observed her actions, looking over her features and letting out a bitter laugh at how his own daughter had most of your features. It's like the gods are being cruel and making his own heart hurt more than it already is.

"From now on, your name will be ■■■■. (Y/N) thought of that name for you."

"Papa? Wake up!"

Dottore slowly opened his eyes and noticed he had fallen asleep on the grass. Finally remembering that he was joining his daughter in the forests of Sumeru to look for some flowers. He was assigned on a mission to take the dendro, along with the electro gnosis back as soon as possible but his daughter wanted to explore a bit and take a break.

Dottore glanced up and squinted his eyes as he stared up at the figure leaning over him. Eyes widening in surprise as he stared at you, the light shining brightly from behind you made you look so angelic and beautiful. He continued to stare at you, tears pricking the corner of his eyes, your face so full of life and a grin plastered on your face as you looked back at him.

He tried to reach his hand out to you but you quickly vanished the moment he blinked and was now staring at his four year old daughter.

"Are you okay papa? Why are you crying?"

Dottore was quick to wipe the tears away from his eyes as he sat up and looked over his child. Oh how he misses you so. Everytime he looks and talks to his child it felt like it was him talking to you instead. Your looks, the way you talk, even your attitude was passed onto your daughter.

He could only laugh at the idea that if you were still with them, he would be having two of the most sassiest women in Teyvat in his life. He got up on his feet and ruffled his daughter's hair.

"Have you gotten what you needed, little one?"

"Mhm! I finally got these flowers! Iota told me all about them and I wanted to take some home myself."

She held up a bouquet of padisarah flowers, the doctor could only stare in surprise at how she even got them, moreso why did Iota even told her about it.

"Iota told me how they were mama's favorite flowers and showed me pictures of her holding them. He told me how you would always gift her a bouquet of these whenever you came back from Sumeru and I wanted to give these to mama too... can I give these to her? Will mama like it?"

"...she would love them a lot, my child. Now come on, once I finished my mission then we can visit your mother and give her these gifts. She would be happy to receive these flowers from you."

[specialmedicalcentre]

Cassie Codes in the ICU

Nurse Farah watched quietly as Cassie's chest rose, then fell, as the ventilator breathed for her. There was an intermittent whoosh-click that came from the vent each time Cassie's breasts rose. Farah could not remember how many times she had checked on Cassie today, and she knew this would not be the last.

A quick succession of sounds from the vitals monitor shook Farah out of her reverie. Bip-bi-biiip-bipbipbip-biiip. Cassie's heart was threatening arrhythmia again. Instinctively, Farah placed her finger against Cassie's neck, feeling directly for her pulse. The skin was cool and a little clammy. Farah felt Cassie's heart trying to push blood, but she feared that Cassie would probably fall back into arryhthmia and, from there, into V-fib again.

Just as soon as it began, Cassie's cardiac rhythm corrected itself.

Farah pressed a button on the monitor and began a blood pressure reading. She heard the familiar sound of the pump, grinding away inside the monitor. She saw the cuff bulge on Cassie's slim arm - bruised and sweaty from the abuse - and heard the pulling and straining of the velcro as the cuff reached its limit. With a few deflations, and a long beeeep, the machine deflated the cuff.

102/70. Cassie was not doing well. Her pressure has been dropping and her heart wasn't doing its work. Cardiomyopathy? Some kind of rhythm problem?

The attending physician had told Farah that Cassie had come in to the Emergency Department the previous night complaining of light-headedness, headache, chest pains. Naturally, they processed her immediately as a potential cardiac case. Slim, 22, possible anorexia…the case almost wrote itself. Her low blood pressure wasn't unusual for a woman her age and build, but a 5-lead EKG gave some ominous signs. They shifted her to a 12-lead and got her a bed. After several hours in observation in the ER, it seemed that she was stable, although still weak and hypotensive. The arrhythmia was already obvious.

Then she coded. For the first time, at least.

It was unexpected and very sudden; Cassie's cardiac deterioration was very rapid - she complained of a flutter, which was probably A-fib, and then she lost consciousness and seized briefly. After a short round of CPR and a 120 J cardioversion, they had a rhythm and she was breathing on her own, although she was not conscious. They decided to move her to ICU.

That's when I first saw her, Farah thought to herself. Farah had immediately found herself suddenly fond and protective of Cassie. Maybe more than other patients; she couldn't be sure.

Still unconscious during Farah's morning shift, Cassie coded again, briefly. Farah performed CPR this time. They got her back on rhythm again and decided to intubate for safety, given her uncertain condition. The ER team had left her in her bra and panties; when Farah's team decided to put in a Foley, she decided that she would leave Cassie as dressed as possible.

Farah looked away from the vitals monitor and its terrible information, and looked down at Cassie, her body uncovered for observation.

Cassie was reclined in the ICU bed, slightly head-up for postural circulation. Her arms were laid away from her body. She was on a vent, the tube holder creasing her face where it had been quickly strapped in place. Her hair fell in disheveled curls out of the bouffant cap they had put on her. As her chest rose and fell, Farah ran her eyes slowly down Cassie's body, thinking about how she looked. EKG electrodes pressed quickly to her chest, IVs in her wrists. The thick yellow cath clumsily running out of her panties to the collection bag.

They had done all the necessary things, and now Cassie was totally transformed from how she was when she came in. Farah's fascination was deep. She found herself staring at the catheter bulge in Cassie's panties.

"Farah?" Nurse Yasmin's greeting startled Farah, and it probably showed. She tried to stifle her gasp, but she was unable to hide her blushing.

"H…hi, Yas. What's up?" Farah smiled at the junior nurse.

Yasmin looked briefly at Cassie, then up at the monitor. "How is she?"

"Same. BP is down some, and she's still throwing PVCs." Farah sighed. "What's up?"

Yas looked at Farah. "Attending told me to tell you that we should put an AED on her and prep for corrective cardioversion. The team is on the way."

Farah looked at Cassie again. Here we go.

"Can I help out?" Yasmin asked.

"Of course," Farah smiled. "Let's get her prepped."

=====

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[serickswrites]

I Don't Feel So Good

Warnings: captivity, restraints, torture, electrocution, rescue, hospital, cardiac arrest, cpr, unclear character status, forced to watch

"I....I don't feel so good, C-C-Caretaker," Whumpee said as they slumped over in their chair. "D-D-Dizzy."

"It's ok, Whumpee. Help is here. Hold on. Just hold on," Caretaker said, wishing they could slip the cuffs that kept them away from Whumpee.

Time passed strangely for Caretaker. It seemed as though time had frozen when Whumper was in the room with them. But then time passed swiftly when Whumper had left them alone for an hour. And now, time seemed distorted, speeding up and slowing down. It had been torture watching Whumper spend the last hour shocking Whumpee with the car battery. And now that help had arrived, the waiting was torture.

Whumper had rushed from the room, leaving Whumpee still hooked up to the battery, when the sound of a door giving way startled the three of them. "Help is here, Whumpee. We're saved. Help is here."

Caretaker repeated it over and over as they watched Whumpee struggle to breathe. They opened their mouth to say something, but a group of people rushed into the room. Time seemed to jump for Caretaker, the rescuer's movements disjointed and fast. Before Caretaker could say much, they found themself in the back of an ambulance with Whumpee, rushing to the emergency room.

Whumpee lay on the gurney, their face pale and drawn with pain. The paramedic quickly hooked Whumpee up to various leads and monitors. Caretaker squeezed Whumpee's hand tightly. "You're going to be ok. They're taking us to get you checked out, you're going to be ok." Time was slow in the ambulance. Time was too slow. Whumpee needed help. But the ambulance seemed frozen in time for Caretaker.

A monitor screamed a warning and the paramedic looked up. They called to their partner, "They're in V-Fib. I'm going to defibrillate."

Caretaker's heart began to pound. Whumpee was getting worse. "Please, stay with me, Whumpee."

"I need you to step back, Caretaker," the paramedic said as they attached the sticky patches to Whumpee's chest. "Let me take care of them."

Whumpee's eyes frantically searched for Caretaker's as Caretaker pulled away. "I'm right here. You're going to be ok, Whumpee. You're going to be ok."

The paramedic took the paddles and paused before placing them on Whumpee's chest. "Whumpee, I know you're not feeling very good right now. This isn't going to feel great either. But your heart is beating in a rhythm that isn't good or sustainable. I'm going to try and shock you back into the correct rhythm."

Whumpee nodded their understanding, though their eyes were beginning to get hazy.

"Stay with me, Whumpee. You're going to be ok," Caretaker murmured as they started to reach for Whumpee again.

"Clear!" The paramedic said as they pressed the paddles to Whumpee's chest. Caretaker quickly yanked their hand back to avoid being shocked.

Whumpee's body convulsed with the shock. The paramedic watched the monitor. "I'm going to shock you again, Whumpee. Your heart rhythm isn't quite where it should be."

Whumpee nodded weakly, blinking their eyes slowly. "Clear!" the paramedic said as they deployed the paddles once more.

Caretaker held their breath as they watched Whumpee's body move. The monitor continued with the same sound, the same warning alarm that Whumpee's heart wasn't cooperating.

"Clear!" the Paramedic said again.

But as they started to deploy the paddles once more, Caretaker's stomach dropped as they heard the monitor let one continuous streak and the line that had been erratic mirroring Whumpee's heart beat became flat.

"Asystole," the paramedic called out, putting the paddles back onto the machine, "starting compressions."

Caretaker couldn't breathe around the terror gripping them as they watched the paramedic begin compressions on Whumpee. Couldn't breathe around the terror gripping them as the ambulance stopped, pulling into a med bay. Couldn't breathe around the terror gripping them as they stared into Whumpee's half lidded, empty eyes.

"Come on, breathe, Whumpee. Breathe, damn it!" The paramedic said as they continued to pound on Whumpee's chest.

Caretaker started to reach out to Whumpee, to take Whumpee's hand in theirs. Started to reach out to beg Whumpee to breathe, to stay with them. Started to reach out to try and bring Whumpee back to them. But as their fingertips brushed Whumpee's, the door to the ambulance swung open and they were swarmed by the medical team.

Whumpee was wheeled away from them before they could say or do anything. Wheeled away with the medic still performing CPR. Wheeled away to somewhere Caretaker couldn't go.

Caretaker began to sob as they realized Whumpee might be gone. Might be gone to somewhere permanently. Might be....dead.

Caretaker jumped as a nurse put a hand on their shoulder. "Caretaker," they said softly, "let's take a look at you."

"They....they need help," Caretaker whispered, unable to say the words that they feared were true.

"Whumpee has a great medical team looking after them. Let's get you looked at and then I can find out how Whumpee's doing, is that ok?"

"Whumpee....Whumpee needs me. Please, they need me. I need them." Caretaker started forward to try and follow, but the nurse's hand on their shoulder made them stop.

"Whumpee has all the medical team they need. You need to be looked at. Let the doctors do their job with Whumpee. And let me help you. Then I'll look in on Whumpee, ok?" Their voice was calm and soothing.

But Caretaker didn't want to be soothed. Whumpee had been hurt because of them. Had continued to be hurt because of them. They hadn't been able to do anything to help Whumpee. Hadn't been able to get help, escape, or save Whumpee.

And now....And now, Whumpee's heart had stopped beating. Whumpee was.....dead.

"Please, they can't die. Please. Don't let them die," Caretaker said, tears streaming down their face.

"We won't let them die, Caretaker. We're working on bringing them back. Now let's take a look to make sure you're ok."

[whump-imagines]

Lunch Date Gone Wrong

Connor x reader

~1000 words

She walked into the ED and greeted Leah at the admit desk. “Hey. I just wanted to surprise Connor for lunch. Can I go wait in the lounge?”

“Of course. I think he went upstairs but you can check with Maggie.”

“Thanks.” She walked through the sliding doors from the waiting room and stopped at the nurses station. Maggie saw her and walked out from the desk to give her a hug. “Hi, Mags.”

“Hi, sweetie,” Maggie said. “I didn't know you were coming today.”

She laughed. “Neither does Connor. I needed to get out of the house. Figured I'd surprise him for lunch.”

“He just ran upstairs to check on a patient but he should be back pretty soon,” Maggie explained. “You can go wait in the lounge if you want. Do you want me to page him?”

She shook her head. “No, I don't want to bother him. I can wait.” She went into the lounge and made herself comfortable on the couch.

Twenty minutes later, she saw Connor by the nurses station. He was looking at a computer and Maggie was nowhere in sight so she assumed he didn't know she was there.

She smiled and stood from the couch. She swayed slightly, dismissing it as having stood too fast. Walking out of the lounge, she made her way to where he was.

He glanced up and locked eyes with her. He smiled. “Hey! What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to get some fresh air and different scenery. Thought I'd see if you had time for some lunch.”

He pulled her into a hug and kissed her as he pulled away. “I always have time for you. Did you want to go grab something quick or eat here?”

She shrugged, swaying on her feet once again as dizziness made her world spin.

Connor frowned, grasping her shoulders and stepping back half a step to look at her. “You okay?”

She started to nod. “Uh, yeah. I think.”

“You sure?” He moved his hand to caress her cheek.

“Honestly?” she asked. “I was starving when I left the house. Now, I'm a little nauseous and dizzy.”

He pulled her behind the desk to a chair. “Okay, let’s sit down.”

She let him guide her into the chair. She took a deep breath and shook her head trying to clear the feeling, but it only made it worse. “Whoa,” she whispered, closing her eyes tight.

“Just breathe. I'm right here,” Connor reassured. He took her hand in his and she felt him press his fingers into the pulse point at her wrist. Her eyes were still closed so she didn't see the look of surprise on his face. “Hey, Maggie,” he said quietly. “What's open?”

“Uh, treatment three and four are. Why?” She asked.

Connor glanced at Y/N. “I need an EKG. Her heart rate is way too high.”

“Okay. I'll meet you in three,” Maggie said.

“Wait,” said Y/N. Her breathing quickened with her anxiety. “Why? What's wrong with me?”

“Shh, shh,” Connor soothed. “It's okay. Just breathe. We will figure it out. Can you stand up for me?”

She allowed him to pull her up. As soon as she was fully upright she swayed before her knees buckled. Connor caught her before she could hit the ground and lifted her heading straight to treatment three.

“Y/N! Can you hear me, sweetheart?” He asked as he set her on the bed. He ran his knuckle firmly over her sternum and she moaned but didn't wake. “Open your eyes for me.”

Will joined them as Maggie finished hooking up the cardiac monitor. She wrapped a BP cuff around her bicep. “Need a hand in here?”

“Damn it,” Connor cursed as he saw the monitor reading. “She's in SVT.”

“Connor,” Will warned. “You shouldn't be treating her.”

“I'm fine,” Connor argued. “I'm going to try a carotid massage.”

Will stepped closer. “Maggie, CBC, BMP, lytes, cardiac enzymes, and a chest x-ray. Please.”

“On it.” She quickly ordered the x-ray before drawing blood for the lab tests.

“No change.” Will pointed out as Connor stared at the monitor as if trying to Will the rhythm to change. “We need to push adenosine.”

“Just one more second,” Connor said. About thirty seconds later, his head dropped to his chest as he took a step back. “Uh, okay. Will?”

Will squeezed Connor’s shoulder before returning his focus to Y/N. “I got her, buddy.” He then turned to April who had joined them in the room. “Six milligrams of adenosine.”

Seconds later, April announced, “Pushing.” Almost instantly the monitor droned the monotone asystole sound before the fast beep resumed.

Connor’s hand came up to cover his mouth for a moment. His worry was really starting to shine through.

“Okay,” Will started. “Let's try another twelve milligrams of adenosine.”

Once again, April announced when she pushed the meds just before the monotone sound followed by the rapid beeping.

“Damn it,” Connor cursed.

“It's fine. I got her,” Will reassured. “We knew she was stubborn, right? Give me the paddles and charge to 75.”

Maggie handed them to him as April placed the orange gel pads on her chest. Will placed the paddles as Maggie stated, “Charged.”

“Clear!” Will verified everyone's hands were off before pressing the button. Her head shifted with the small jolt. Suddenly, the fast paced beeping slowed. “Back in sinus. Rate 86.”

Connor breathes a heavy sigh of relief. “Oh, thank god.”

A few minutes later, she moaned. “C–Connor?”

He was sitting beside her holding her hand as Will performed an echocardiogram.

Squeezing her hand, he spoke, “I'm right here, honey. Will is here too.”

She pried her eyes open slowly, shying away from the bright lights. “What happened?”

Connor ran his free hand over her head, pushing hair from her face. “You had a bit of an arrhythmia. We had to give you some meds and shock your heart to get it back to normal rhythm. Will is just running some tests now so we can figure out why it happened.”

She blinked slowly. “I'm so tired.”

“Well your heart just ran a mini marathon,” Will said.

“You can go ahead and rest,” Connor suggested. “You're going to be here at least overnight.”

She let her eyes flutter closed. “Mmkay.”

Connor continued to run his hand gently over her head until she was sound asleep. He knew it would be a long few weeks of tests and possible medications but for now, he was just glad she was okay.

[severedfromthesource]

Heart of the Forge

Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

With Adam in cardiac arrest, Tav scrambles to revive him before the Pennydurren loses power. And before the choice is taken out of his hands.

Original concept by @emptycalories-splitlip . Features M resus, M rescuer, CPR, mouth to mouth, intubation, open heart massage.

In the other cars, the lights had been going haywire. Brightening to terribly hot globes on the walls and ceiling, flickering, going dark and then reigniting with the Forge’s heart struggling to maintain him. The entire Pennydurren knew something was wrong. No one knew more acutely than the seamstress in the upper cars garment manufacturing. There was a great shudder running through the train and the sewing machines went silent for the first time that day.

She stared at the needle buried in cloth and folded her hands over her mouth. She knew better than anyone what that meant. “No,” she whispered, tears springing up before she could even register she was crying. “No, my baby��” The backup generators kicked in and once more the machines came to life and the lights popped back on, but it brought her no relief.

Adam’s heart had stopped. Her son was dying.

—

There was a moment, holding up Adam’s limp head with his shoulder, that Tav couldn’t comprehend what had happened. His brain short circuited. He held him there for- too long. Entirely too long. He couldn’t take a breath. What air remained in his lungs left his mouth in short huffs, his eyes wide and fixed on some inconsequential spot on the floor. He couldn’t look at his charge. He couldn’t begin to understand, or maybe accept the truth, that his Forge’s heart had just stopped.

He was dead weight in his arms. The seizure had faced, replaced with an earth shattering stillness. His hands shook where they had been braced against the larger man’s back. Somewhere beyond the ringing in his ears, Marsh’s deep timbre was shouting. He realized, feeling something warm slip from his eyelash, that the ringing was the EKG. He’d flatlined. And Marsh was grabbing his shoulder hard enough to hurt.

“Gustav!” He bellowed. “Sit him back!” Why? He wondered at those words, He’s dead. I can at least hold him like this, I can feel his warmth until it’s not there anymore. I- Marsh slapped him hard across the face. Now his ear really was ringing, but only on the left side, a high pitched whine where he’d been struck. His cheek stung, reddened and almost immediately beginning to swell with an angry, hand shaped welt. Any harder and he might have knocked him unconscious. It was enough.

Tav was shoved back into his body and he moved, laying Adam back against the metal throne. Immediately the engineer tipped Adam’s head back into one of his large hands, supporting his neck as he forced air into his body. Adam was big, but Marsh had been working his whole life with machinery weighing twice as much as himself, and he looked like it. Even just pinching his nose for artificial respirations, he covered half of the Forge’s face so his slack mouth was the only thing really visible.

Tav scooted back as far as he dared on his charge’s lap, stacking his hands in the middle of his slick chest. He felt the air welling in his lungs once more, then he started compressing his chest. “One and two and three and four, five, six-“

The light was dimming in Adam’s chest. He tried not to turn back into a stunned bystander, forcing himself to focus instead on the rhythm of CPR and the depth. But even that was hard. Focus was impossible. Not when his fingers bent over Adam’s ribs as he pumped his heart manually. Not when his Forge’s arms swung limply off the arm rests of the chair.

He heard the hollow whoosh when he reached thirty and Marsh filled Adam’s lungs. Tav glanced over at the monitor, seeing the flatline making a comet trail over the display. He once more beat his hands against his sternum and the straight line was broken up by sharp, irregular peaks. It was comforting, as much as anything was comforting right now, to watch the line on the monitor. It was picture proof that he was doing something good. He was actually making his heart beat, and not just fracturing his bones needlessly.

A voice crackled over his comm watch, “Gustav? Gustav, what’s going on?” Father Shep. He ran the entire operation, the Pennydurren’s conductor and king and named protector. The one who had tethered Adam to the engine with ropes and cables. Tav swallowed and managed to huff, “Adam is in cardiac arrest. I’m trying to resuscitate him as we speak.”

“Damn it all.” There was movement on the other end before he continued, “We caught your little viper. He confessed to everything. They used some kind of poisonous mushroom powder from the back cars, distilled a cardiotoxin.” Tav nearly collapsed. He reached a count of thirty again and rested his hand over Adam’s heart as Marsh filled his lungs.

“I’m still waiting on the medic,” he ground out as he took up his task again, forcing his sternum inward.

“I had him diverted,” said Shep.

Tav’s stomach bottomed out. “You… what? Why? I need help here, I’m not a-“ “He’s preparing the next Forge candidate for surgery. The auxiliary power will just barely last two hours, the surgery and instillation of a Forge take a little longer. We’ve never had such short notice of replacement.”

Replacement. The strength nearly went out of Tav’s arms. They were going to let him die. Worse, they were asking his Keeper to let him die. “Sir, I can… I can bring him back, he’s only been in arrest a few minutes-“ “This isn’t a stroke or heart attack, or something we can treat. Even if he recovers, his heart will be considerably weakened. He’s of no use.” Tav felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.

Marsh stared down at him, holding Adam’s head up. Both had paused their efforts to revive him. Something clicked nearby and a panel slid open on the wall. An emergency measure he had only been briefed on his first day. Scalpels, bone saws, and other surgical equipment gleamed behind the glass case, upon which read IN CASE OF EMERGENCY in red block letters. “Go ahead and call him, Gustav,” said Father Shep. “Then retrieve his spark so it can be implanted in the replacement Forge. If we do this right, we should have just enough time before the backup generators go out.”

Tav was shaking. His hands trembled on Adam’s pectoral, his skin cooling under his palm. They weren’t just asking him to let him die. They were asking him to cut him open and peel away the thing that made him special. The device affixed to his left ventricle and glowing dimly now behind his sternum, the thing that had made him a Forge in the first place, and made Tav his Keeper. Marsh had stopped giving him breaths and looked on with an expression of pity.

“I can bring him back,” he rasped lamely, “I can save him. Just let me save him…” “You have your orders. It’s already underway, if you hesitate then you are risking the lives of everyone else on this train. We’re already losing power to the diving bells outside. Do as I’ve asked you, Gustav.”

He looked to the silver instruments, pristine in their glass case, and his own heart hammered painfully in his chest. Butchery. They wanted him to cut open the only person who had ever given a damn about him, who smiled when he smiled and laughed at his stupid jokes. He looked up at the engineer, pleading with his eyes without knowing it. Marsh shook his head, gingerly adjusting Adam’s head so it rested against the back of the chair. His throat made a limp arch and his eyes were closed. He looked small and ordinary.

Tav made a decision. “Get him to the floor,” he muttered, as much on his back as you can manage.” “Should we disconnect him?” “Not yet. Just lay him down.” It took them both to lay him in a heap on the floor. He was partially angled as the cables lifted one of his shoulders a bit off the floor, so he couldn’t lay flat. Tav settled back onto his knees beside him. He interlocked his fingers and began forcefully pounding on his chest again.

Marsh looked at him with wide eyes. “Lad? What’re you doing?” But it was obvious. Tav wasn’t giving up. “I can save him,” he said, his eyes never straying from Adam’s face. “Keep breathing for him.” “Lad,” Marsh said low and sympathetically, like he was trying to explain death to a small child, “We have to get the engine running again. We can’t waste time.”

“He is not some piece of machinery you can just replace when it malfunctions,” Tav snapped, “He’s not useless. Or a waste of time. Fucks sake, he’s a human being!” He threw his weight behind each thrust, forcing Adam’s chest to cave and rocking his body. His impassioned plea made it obvious that Adam was more than a human being to him. He had been his one constant since they were children. He’d protected the Pennydurren since he was a teenager, and Tav had protected him. “I’m not just gonna let him go,” he whispered in hoarse, aching defiance.

Marsh watched him for at least two cycles of CPR. Tav rocked against his chest, Adam’s shoulders shrugging inward with each compression. He pulled open his jaw, making a seal against his pale lips, and blew down his throat. The Keeper had started hyperventilating from adrenaline and exertion by the second round of breaths, and spit bubbled up at the corner of his mouth as he blew. Shiny strings of saliva connected their lips as he drew away to plunge once more against his unmoving heart.

The engineer moved to the other side and gingerly shouldered him out of the way. “Focus on giving him air,” he said in a gruff murmur, locking his hands between the Forge’s nipples. He had a lot more muscle to throw behind each pummeling thrust, and Adam’s entire body shook with them. His head danced back against the floor, his hand, angled against the cables, thumped quietly at his side. Tav did as he asked and focusing on giving him air. “…Twenty-eight- twenty-nine, thirty, breathe.” He breathed for him. The cycle began again, “One, two, three, four…”

In between rescue breaths, he sat on his knees, bent over his charge. He kept a hand on his cheek, panting, his forehead pressed against the other man’s. “Come on,” he whispered to him, “Come on, kid… Take a breath, just breathe… Breathe-“

It had been ten minutes since his heart seized and went still. The light between his ribs was nothing but a faint ember now, and his deep skin was waxy and colorless. Tav kissed his temple, clutched his face. “Anything,” he whispered, “Anything, Adam… just give me something. Tell me you’re not gone…” They beat his chest. They shocked him, the current making him jolt like a puppet shaken by its strings. His heart wouldn’t move. It didn’t budge under the efforts of both men to get him back.

“I have a courier headed your way now,” Father Shep suddenly announced over the comm watch, making them both jump. Tav, for one, had forgotten utterly that he was waiting for them to deliver Adam’s life on a platter. “I trust you’ve got it in hand?”

He didn’t say anything. He looked over at the surgical tools on the far wall, his thumb stroking Adam’s cheek. “Gustav? Do you copy? Have you got-“ He clicked it off. Maybe they’d throw him off the nearest platform for this, but none of that mattered half so much as getting the Forge back.

He went and retrieved the surgical equipment. Gloves, laryngoscopes, intubation tubes, rib spreaders, saws. He laid a few implements he might need on the tray and ferried them over. Adam had been without a pulse for nearly twenty minutes. He’d been without artificial pulse for a little over one. Tav knelt beside him. “Hold compressions.” Marsh warily eyed the surgical tools but obliged and leaned back in his heels.

“You know how to intubate someone?” “My brother’s one of the medics, I seen him do it a few times.” “Good,” said Tav, snapping on a pair of latex gloves. He set the ventilation device between them. “Intubate him.”

Marsh huffed, but grabbed the silver laryngoscope blade and slid it over Adam’s tongue. He fed the intubation tube down his throat and kept it in place with a endotracheal tube holder looped around his cheeks and the back of his head. Then he switched on the little portable ventilator Tav had brought over and it hummed as it worked, the accordion like squeezer in the glass tube rising and falling with a seesaw rhythm to his chest now. When it expanded, his chest fell, and when it squeezed down towards the bottom, his chest rose.

Tav liberally slathered iodine over the curve of Adam’s ribs, where they were slightly elevated against the wiring. It dripped in lazy amber rivulets, staining his skin as it went. Then he snatched up a scalpel and slid it over the hollow between two ribs. He kept the incision open with the spreader clamp, wide enough that meat and muscle were visible through the wound.

More importantly, wide enough to slide a gloved hand into Adam’s chest cavity.

His fingers probed blindly through the walls of his organs and ribs until he touched something hard and metal. The spark. Its light was mostly dead by now, but with the open wound, some of its soft orange glow spilled out in weak beams of light. Tav peeked at the outside of his sternum. He could see the shadow of his hand as it closed around the organ in the center of his chest. He felt the rubbery texture of compact muscle even through the gloves he wore, and the disconcerting sensation of his lungs expanding and shuddering with the ventilator, like jellyfish brushing up against his fingers.

He cradled Adam’s heart in his hand. It was bigger than he anticipated, athletic from the years training the cardiac muscle to their peak. Tav swallowed back a sob and a laugh at the same time. He really did have the biggest heart of anyone he knew. He would make it beat again, no matter what it took. He should have felt some kind of nausea or panic at performing a surgery he had little knowledge of, but a cold calm had settled instead.

He worked his thumb in against a ventricle. His fingers made a soft cradle around the organ and he slowly began to massage it, unsure, somewhat timid strokes at first, until finally he worked himself into a steady rhythm. His other hand he braced against Adam’s sternum, watching the shadow play reflected there. He could see the contour of his hand coaxing the silent organ, pumping and squeezing life back into it. And life was going back into it.

The light was beginning to grow hotter, the shapes more distinct in his chest as Tav worked his fingers around the dense muscle. “Come on,” he urged again, “Beat… beat already…” As if hearing his command, there was a brief quiver. The light grew hot for a moment and then dimmed into the dim half light again. Tav resituated himself up on his knees and pat Adam’s chest with his free hand. “I felt that, there we go! Cmon, Adam, gimme another.”

He did. The chambers swelled into his palm and a ripple of movement ran up into his fingertips. The monitor showed a blip, then another, then went still again. He massaged his thumb against it, squeezing it into the space between his thumb and palm. It ballooned and swelled up against him and he loosened his hold, allowing it to fill and empty a few times as he held it. It stuttered and he gingerly soothed it. It beat erratically and he held it still. He could have wept if he had any energy to give to anything but this moment. Adam was trying so hard, even lying there, motionless, looking dead.

Marsh’s attention darted between the grief stricken young man and the moving shadows under Adam’s skin. Tav lowered himself over the unconscious man, wrapping his free arm around his shoulder and half embracing him. He couldn’t hug him fully, but he wanted to so badly. “Come back,” he whispered, lips grazing his arm as he folded himself over the Forge. “Please…”

His heart thumped hard against Tav’s palm. His fingers stilled as he cupped the center of his entire being. It took a moment but it beat again, flexing between his fingers. The ventilator hissing was the only sound in the room, and he felt it expand inside him, again brushing the tips of his fingers. And again his heart moved against him, the chambers sluggishly moving as if remembering how. He brushed his thumb one last time over the left ventricle, as if trying to offer it comfort. You can do it, he told it with touch alone, You can beat again. Then it did.

Tav sat, staring at the strong light cast from the spark in Adam’s sternum. He could see more clearly now the silhouette of his hand, the light shining between his fingers as, for a few moments, he could only marvel at the feeling of his heart coming back to life. Once he was sure it was well and truly beating on its own, he slid his hand from the incision and for a brief second could only sit, stunned, blood up to his forearm. He’d never imagined a world where he failed, yet by the same token he never imagined a world where he’d succeeded either. Torn between a million different reactions, he leaned his forehead down against Adam’s shoulder and wept.

—

The engine room was filled with the quiet hum of machinery when Adam finally started to stir. He suck in a deep breath and his eyes fluttered open. He was in his cot. His limbs felt heavy, they barely obeyed his command as he stretched out his arms and legs, then winced as the motion pulled at something in his ribs. He reached up and pressed blindly at the bandages looped around his chest.

He had no idea how close he’d come to dying, though he had the sense something serious had happened. He remembered air being short in his lungs. The uneven thrum of his heart as it struggled to beat, the air forced in his lungs and the defibrillator on his chest. Then it was all black. In my vague shapes and feelings. He dreamed, and wasn’t entirely sure it was a dream, that Tav had held him and kissed him over and over again. Something had punched him in the chest, then as if in apology, had stroked him there instead. He dreamed of a snake going head first down his throat and constricting his heart.

He became aware in the dark of a warm shape at his side. He looked over and made out a familiar silhouette. His inner spark was the only nightlight he really had, and its light bounced off Tav’s face. He looked exhausted. The cot was barely big enough for Adam’s large frame, and somehow the Keeper had managed to squeeze himself into the space between the Forge and the wall, sleeping there deeply. Deep enough he didn’t stir as Adam touched his cheek.

He would never know the terror he felt. He was unconscious when Father Shep arrived himself and looked for any excuse to declare Adam a lost cause, even when they’d turned the engine back on and his heart had been as strong as ever. Tav would never tell him the full story of those long minutes of death.

But nuzzled against him now, Adam didn’t think of any of that. He slid his arms around the smaller man, ignoring the twinges of pain here and there, and drew him in close. All he knew was that somehow, his Keeper had saved him. Tav hummed in his sleep and nuzzled up against the wall of warm muscle he was dimly aware of. His ear pressed to his Forge’s heart and he sighed, content.

The terror had passed.

[lil-bitty-lubdubs]

The Basement Series-Septima pt.2

Part 2

“Yes. That’s it darling. That’s it. Give in to it! That a girl. Gooood. That’s right. Take a deep breathe. Just give in. Good girl! Yes darling, that’s it! Breathe! Just breathe in.” he crooned into her ear, one hand sliding right between her breasts to feel the surge of her chest rise and fall.  She was no longer in control and she was losing consciousness. She yielded herself to him, no longer caring as his two fingers nestled into her carotid pulse.

He slid his other hand behind her neck and tilted her head back hard so there was no obstruction between her lungs and the poison. She breathed in even deeper. “That’s right breathe in. Take the gas into your lungs. Let it stop your beating heart Septima.” He smiled and willed her to arrest.

That’s when she stopped breathing. The doctor put a hand quietly over her neck where her carotid sat wide open and slid two fingers in the groove of her muscles pressing into her artery. A shudder went through him, but he stuffed it back. He had a job to do. He sat there feeling her heart slow, awaiting her arrest.

“Yes darling yes you’re in respiratory arrest. You’re gonna fall into cardiac arrest. Soon. So soon. Yes I feel it …and then I will resuscitate you. I’m going to pump your chest hard, breathe into your mouth, shock your heart to bring you back to life.” he paused, his hands both occupied. The one hand steady on the pulsing in her neck, the other went from between her now still breasts to rubbing her nipples. Each minute her heart continued to slow into certain death with him waiting, watching. The heart monitor rhythm finally changed. “That’s it. Just give into it sweetheart. Just give in. Let your heart stop.” He said tenderly as her heart slammed still against her ribs.