Ventricular fibrillation (patient information)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Assosciate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Prashanth Saddala M.B.B.S
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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 |
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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?
The heart pumps blood to the lungs, brain, and other organs. Interruption of the heartbeat for only a few seconds can lead to fainting (syncope) or cardiac arrest.
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.
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 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.