Medication
Surgery or medical procedures to treat ventricular fibrillation include: 1 Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is an implanted device that constantly monitors your heart rhythm. ... 2 Cardiac ablation. ... 3 Coronary angioplasty and stent placement. ... 4 Coronary bypass surgery. ...
Procedures
If the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation, pharmacological treatment should begin. Epinephrine is the first drug given and may be repeated every 3 to 5 minutes. If epinephrine is not effective, the next medication in the algorithm is amiodarone 300 mg.
Nutrition
Tests to diagnose and determine the cause of ventricular fibrillation include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of your heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on your chest and sometimes your arms and legs.
What is the best treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Careful postresuscitative care is essential to survival, because studies have shown a 50% repeat in-hospital arrest rate for people admitted after a ventricular fibrillation (VF) event. Multiple randomized trials have confirmed the benefit of treating myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and electrolyte disturbances.
What is the first drug given for ventricular fibrillation?
What tests are used to diagnose ventricular fibrillation?
Why is postresuscitative care important after ventricular fibrillation (VF)?
How to cure atrial flutter?
Currently, atrial flutter is successfully "cured" by radiofrequency catheter ablation; but treatment to restore atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm has been the traditional use of medications and external cardioversion.
What is a biventricular pacemaker?
Biventricular Pace Maker. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first of a new type of pacemaker that paces both ventricles of the heart to coordinate their contractions and improve their pumping ability.
What is radiofrequency ablation?
A technique pioneered at UCSF, radiofrequency catheter ablation destroys or disrupts parts of the electrical pathways causing the arrhythmias, providing relief for patients who may not have responded well to medications, or who would rather not or can't take medications.
How many joules does external cardioversion have?
External cardioversion is delivery of high energy shocks of 50 to 300 joules through two defibrillator pads attached to the chest. In some cases, external cardioversion has failed because the electrical current has to first travel through chest muscle and skeletal structures before reaching the heart.
When was internal cardioversion developed?
Internal cardioversion for conversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to a normal sinus rhythm was developed here at UCSF Medical Center in 1991. Internal cardioversion is low energy electrical shock (1 to 10 joules) delivered internally in the heart through two catheters inserted in a vein in the groin and a small electrode pad applied to the chest. This procedure is performed in the electrophysiology lab by our electrophysiologist.
What is an implantable cardioverter?
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is a device for people who are prone to life-threatening rapid heart rhythms. It is slightly larger than a pacemaker and usually is implanted beneath the skin below the collarbone. It is connected to a defibrillation/pace wire (s) positioned inside the heart via a vein. It has the capability of delivering an electric shock to the heart when it determines the heart rate is too fast. It also is capable of pacing or stimulating the heart when it is going too slow.
What is a pacemaker?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first of a new type of pacemaker that paces both ventricles of the heart to coordinate their contractions and improve their pumping ability. According to the test results presented to the FDA, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT): 1 Increases the amount of daily activities patient can perform without the symptoms of heart failure 2 Extends the exercise capacity of heart failure patients as measured by the distance they can walk in 6 minutes 3 Improves the overall quality of life as judged by standard measurements 4 Promotes changes in heart anatomy to improve cardiac function 5 Reduces the number of days patients spend in the hospital and the total number of hospitalizations
What is the most important intervention for cardiac arrest?
Irrespective of the cause of cardiac arrest, the most important interventions are early recognition and calling for help—including appropriate management of the deteriorating patient—early defibrillation, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with minimal interruption of chest compressions, and treatment of reversible causes. 6
How many joules should a defibrillator be?
If the defibrillator is biphasic, the manufacturer recommended joules should be selected (usually 120 to 200 joules). If the amount is unknown, use the maximum available and subsequent doses should be equivalent, and possibly higher. 1.
What is VF in cardiac arrest?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF or V-fib) is the most common initial heart rhythm in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and the most salvageable one . 5 In VF, the etiology of arrest is often attributed to either acute ischemia or non-ischemic arrhythmia. 8
What are the causes of VF?
The easiest way to remember the most common causes of VF are to review the reversible “Hs and Ts” in cardiac arrest. The Hs include hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypothermia, hyper/hypokalemia, and hydrogen ions (acidosis). The Ts are tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, toxins, and thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary).
What is the most important algorithm for resuscitation?
Ventricular fibrillation falls under the ACLS Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm and is the most important algorithm to know for adult resuscitation. 1 Ventricular fibrillation treatment starts with early and effective CPR with the application of oxygen and monitor/defibrillator placement. Keeping the brain, heart, ...
What is the best treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
In the emergency room, doctors treat ventricular fibrillation with several types of anti-arrhythmic medication. These medications include vasopressin and amiodarone, and are given to restore a normal heart rhythm after doctors have used an automatic defibrillator at least three times. For long-term prevention of additional episodes of ventricular fibrillation, doctors may recommend amiodarone for patients who cannot have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Side effects of amiodarone include nausea, lack of coordination, tremors, fatigue, insomnia, and constipation.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
By. HealthPrep Staff. Ventricular fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that occurs in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). This type of fibrillation is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. If left untreated, most cases of ventricular fibrillation will lead to cardiac arrest and death.
What are some exercises that are safe for cardiac patients?
In general, light exercises such as gentle yoga, slow swimming, tai chi, and walking are safe for cardiac patients.
What are some examples of beta blockers?
Examples of commonly prescribed beta blockers include atenolol, nebivolol, and propranolol. Beta blockers can cause changes in cholesterol levels, shortness of breath, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and weight gain. Depression and sleeping problems have also been reported.
What is the first day of intensive care?
During the first day in intensive care, patients may be on a ventilator that breathes for them , and they may also have a stomach tube, a urinary catheter, an arterial line, chest tubes, and intravenous lines in place.
How long do you stay in intensive care after a bypass surgery?
Some cases may require open surgery. Following a bypass operation, patients are taken to the intensive care unit, and most stay there for two days.
What are the things that ICDs need to be aware of?
Patients who have ICDs need to be aware of their surroundings and avoid strong electromagnetic fields ; these can prevent the ICD from functioning properly. Patients should also limit or avoid spending time around metal detectors, anti-theft devices, electric fences, and invisible pet fences.
What is the goal of a paddle defibrillator?
The goal is to use the minimum amount of energy required to overcome the threshold of defibrillation. Excessive energy can cause myocardial injury and arrhythmias. Larger paddles result in lower impedance, which allows the use of lower-energy shocks.
What is VF treatment?
Acute ventricular fibrillation (VF) is treated according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols. [ 81, 82] ) Interest in improving rates of public cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training—with a special emphasis on the use of early defibrillation with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by public service personnel (eg, police, fire, airline)—is widespread. [ 2] These measures can help to achieve the greatest public health benefits in the fight against sudden death.
What is a VT/VF?
Consultations. A cardiologist must be involved in the care of patients who have had a ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) cardiac arrest or who have symptoms of ischemic heart disease, valvular disorders, or presentations with complex arrhythmias.
How many times can you give amiodarone?
Antiarrhythmic agents can be given before or after the shock. Amiodarone is given as 300 mg IV/IO once (then, consider an additional 150 mg IV/IO, once). Alternatively, lidocaine is given in a first dose of 1-1.5 mg/kg IV/IO, followed by 0.5-0.75 mg/kg IV/IO, for a maximum of three (3) doses or 3 mg/kg.
Is radiofrequency ablation effective?
Pharmacotherapy or surgical treatment (eg, operable coronary artery disease [CAD]) may be appropriate in some cases, whereas radiofrequency ablation is effective in a variety of disorders.
Is precordial thump appropriate for VF?
Although the precordial thump is less appropriate for VF than for VT, it is actually not appropriate in both.
What to do if you have a V-fib?
Step 2: Defibrillation to fix your heart rhythm. Step 3: Medication to make the rhythm stable again. Defibrillators for V-fib.
Why do doctors not know what causes ventricular fibrillation?
For instance, it happens most often during or right after a heart attack. That may be because the heart’s electrical signals can become unstable when there isn’t enough blood flow.
What are the symptoms of ventricular fibrillation?
The main symptom is fainting. You may also have symptoms of ventricular tachycardia (VT). This is when the lower chambers of your heart beat too fast. It can lead to V-fib. Signs and symptoms of VT include: Chest pain. Pounding or fast heartbeat.
What is an AED in medical dramas?
They’re the paddles placed on a person’s chest to shock their heart into beating the way it should. This type is called an automated external defibrillator (AED). It can help save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest.
What are the complications of V-FIB?
V-fib can lead to serious complications including: Injuries from CPR. Skin burns from defibrillation. Brain injury from a lack of oxygen. Injury to your heart muscle. Death. Ventricular Fibrillation Prevention. You can’t completely prevent an episode of ventricular fibrillation.
What tests are used to check for heart damage?
Tests of how well your heart works, such as an EKG. Blood tests to look for heart damage. Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI exams, and echocardiograms. Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment. V-fib comes on quickly and needs treatment just as fast.
What is the heart muscle called that keeps your heart from pumping blood the way it should?
Ventricular fibrillation, or V-fib, is a dangerous problem with your heart rhythm (called an arrhythmia) that keeps your heart from pumping blood the way it should. It is a medical emergency. Your heart muscle has four main sections, called chambers. The bottom two chambers are the ventricles.
Diagnosis
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