Ventricular fibrillation causes
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Ventricular fibrillation Microchapters |
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Differentiating Ventricular Fibrillation from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Ventricular fibrillation causes On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Ventricular fibrillation causes |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Ventricular fibrillation causes |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
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.
Causes
Common 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.
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Acid-base disturbances
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Hyperthermia
- Hypothermia
- Hypoxia
- Improper sympathetic stimulation
- Increased catecholamine levels
- Prolonged QT syndromes
- Proarrhythmic drugs