Ventricular fibrillation (patient information)
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Ventricular fibrillation |
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Ventricular fibrillation On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Ventricular fibrillation |
Overview
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of Ventricular fibrillation?
A person who has a VF episode can suddenly collapse or become unconscious, because the brain and muscles have stopped receiving blood from the heart.
The following symptoms may occur within minutes to 1 hour before the collapse:
What causes Ventricular fibrillation?
- Fibrillation is an uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscle fibers (fibrils). When it occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, it is called ventricular fibrillation.
- During ventricular fibrillation, blood is not pumped from the heart. Sudden cardiac death results.
- The most common cause of VF is a heart attack. However, VF can occur whenever the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen.
Who is at highest risk?
Conditions that can lead to VF include:
- Electrocution accidents or injury to the heart
- Heart attack
- Heart disease that is present at birth (congenital heart disease)
- Heart muscle disease, including cardiomyopathies
- Heart surgery
- Narrowed coronary arteries
- Sudden cardiac death (commotio cordis), typically occurring in athletes after an injury over the surface of the heart.
Most people with VF have no history of heart disease. Yet they often have risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Diagnosis
- A cardiac monitor will show a very disorganized heart rhythm.
- Tests will be done to search for the cause of the VF.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately to save a person's life.
Treatment options
If a person who is having a VF episode collapses at home or becomes unconscious, call the local emergency number (such as 911).
- While waiting for help, place the person's head and neck in line with the rest of the body to help make breathing easier. Start CPR by doing chest compression.
- Continue to do this until the person becomes alert or help arrives.
VF is treated by delivering a quick electric shock through the chest using a device called an external defibrillator.
- The electric shock can immediately restore the heartbeat to a normal rhythm, and should be done as quickly as possible. Many public places now have these machines.
- Medicines may be given to control the heartbeat and heart function.
It is a good idea for family members and friends of people who have had VF and heart disease to take a CPR course. CPR courses are available through the American Red Cross, hospitals, or the American Heart Association.
Where to find medical care for Ventricular fibrillation?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Ventricular fibrillation
Prevention
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that can be implanted in the chest wall of people who are at risk for this serious rhythm disorder. The ICD can help prevent sudden cardiac death by quickly sending an electrical shock when ventricular fibrillation occurs.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
VF will lead to death within a few minutes unless it is treated quickly and effectively. Even then, long-term survival for people who live through a VF attack outside of the hospital is between 2% and 25%.
People who have survived VF may be in a coma or have long-term damage.
Possible complications
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007200.htm Template:WH Template:WS