Medication
Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. CPR and defibrillation can restore your heart to its normal rhythm and may be life saving. Medications and cardiac procedures after an episode of ventricular fibrillation can prevent or reduce the chances of another episode.
Procedures
Ventricular Fibrillation. Disordered electrical activity causes the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) to quiver, or fibrillate, instead of contracting (or beating) normally. This prohibits the heart from pumping blood, causing collapse and cardiac arrest. This type of arrhythmia is a medical emergency. It’s life-threatening.
Nutrition
Causes of ventricular fibrillation include: Injury to the heart, including electrocution accidents, or physical trauma to the area directly over the heart, resulting in sudden cardiac death (commotio cordis) Angina or chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
What is the treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Sometimes triggered by a heart attack, ventricular fibrillation causes your blood pressure to plummet, cutting off blood supply to your vital organs. Ventricular fibrillation, an emergency that requires immediate medical attention, causes the person to collapse within seconds.
Is ventricular fibrillation a medical emergency?
What causes ventricular fibrillation (VF)?
How does ventricular fibrillation affect the body?
Why is ventricular fibrillation a medical emergency?
In ventricular fibrillation, the heart's beating process isn't happening in the right order. Both ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are considered life-threatening because they can lead to collapse and sudden cardiac arrest. In emergencies, both are typically treated with defibrillation.
What is the most important initial treatment for a patient in ventricular fibrillation?
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). The first response to V-fib may be CPR. This will keep your blood moving to important organs.
Is a ventricular fibrillation an emergency?
Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. CPR and defibrillation can restore your heart to its normal rhythm and may be life saving. Medications and cardiac procedures after an episode of ventricular fibrillation can prevent or reduce the chances of another episode.
What is the immediate treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It's the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. Emergency treatment for ventricular fibrillation includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED).
What is the preferred treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
External electrical defibrillation remains the most successful treatment for ventricular fibrillation (VF). A shock is delivered to the heart to uniformly and simultaneously depolarize a critical mass of the excitable myocardium.
Why is ventricular fibrillation more serious than atrial?
Ventricular fibrillation is more serious than atrial fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation frequently results in loss of consciousness and death, because ventricular arrhythmias are more likely to interrupt the pumping of blood, or undermine the heart's ability to supply the body with oxygen-rich blood.
What two treatments may save a patient with ventricular fibrillation?
TreatmentCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR mimics the pumping motion of the heart and keeps blood flowing through the body. First call 911 or your local emergency number. ... Defibrillation. This treatment is also called cardioversion.
What is the initial treatment response for a patient in either pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation?
Ventricular Fibrillation/Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia. The most critical interventions during the first minutes of VF or pulseless VT are immediate bystander CPR (Box 1) with minimal interruption in chest compressions and defibrillation as soon as it can be accomplished (Class I).
What is the procedure to reduce ventricular fibrillation?
Coronary angioplasty and stent placement. If your ventricular fibrillation was caused by a heart attack, this procedure may reduce your risk of future episodes of ventricular fibrillation.
Why is ventricular fibrillation considered an emergency?
The goal of emergency treatment is to restore blood flow as quickly as possible to prevent organ and brain damage.
What test is used to diagnose ventricular fibrillation?
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.
What to do if you are not trained to use an AED?
If you're not trained to use an AED, a 911 operator or another emergency medical operator may be able to give you instructions. Public-use AEDs are programmed to recognize ventricular fibrillation and send a shock only when needed.
What is the procedure to get blood flow to the heart?
Coronary bypass surgery. This open-heart surgery improves blood flow to the heart. It may be done if your ventricular fibrillation was caused by coronary artery disease. During bypass surgery, the surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from your leg, arm or chest and connects it below and above the blocked arteries in your heart. This creates a new pathway for blood to flow through.
How does a cardiac ablation work?
Cardiac ablation. This procedure uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in your heart to block the abnormal electrical signals that cause ventricular fibrillation. It's most often done using thin, flexible tubes called catheters inserted through the veins or arteries. It may also be done during heart surgery.
What is a CT scan of the heart?
Cardiac computerized tomography (CT). During a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and creates images of your heart and chest.
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 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
How many joules should a defibrillator deliver?
If a monophasic defibrillator is in use, 360 joules should be delivered to the patient. 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 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, ...
How long does it take to give a defibrillator?
Defibrillation and medication are given in an alternating fashion between cycles of 2 minutes of high-quality CPR. Continue until the patient achieves return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or the cardiac arrest team determines it is time to stop the resuscitation efforts.
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
Is VF a chaotic rhythm?
Although VF appears as a chaotic and disorganized rhythm, characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform such as amplitude, frequency, and organization can be systematically quantified in real-time. 4 These measures have correlated with arrest physiology and are strongly related to clinical outcomes. 7 Current guidelines call for prompt and repetitive defibrillation in the setting of VF during cardiac resuscitation. 2 Early defibrillation is key, but its success largely depends on several other factors, including witnessing of the arrest, early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and most importantly, the time from arrest to the first shock. 3
What is the treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Treatments to prevent ventricular fibrillation include medications and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), devices that can detect abnormal heartbeats and deliver an electrical shock to reset the heart's normal rhythm.
How can ventricular fibrillation be normalized?
If treated in time, ventricular fibrillation can be converted into a normal rhythm by shocking the heart with a device called a defibrillator. An effective way to correct life-threatening rhythms is by using an electronic device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which shocks the heart to normalize the heartbeat if ...
What causes a heart to pump blood but no blood?
The ventricles "flutter" rather than beat, causing the heart to pump little or no blood. Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening and requires prompt treatment. Collapse and sudden cardiac death will follow in minutes unless medical help is provided immediately.
What is the condition where the heart's electrical activity becomes disordered?
Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart's electrical activity becomes disordered. When this happens, the heart's ventricles, the lower chambers that pump blood, contract in a rapid, unsynchronized way. The ventricles "flutter" rather than beat, causing the heart to pump little or no blood.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
Overview. Ventricular fibrillation is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). During ventricular fibrillation, disorganized heart signals cause the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to twitch (quiver) uselessly. As a result, the heart doesn't pump blood to the rest of the body. Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency ...
What is the most common symptom of ventricular fibrillation?
Collapse and loss of consciousness is the most common symptom of ventricular fibrillation.
What causes the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood?
In ventricular fibrillation, rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. To understand how ventricular fibrillation occurs, it may be helpful to know how the heart normally beats.
What causes the ventricles to contract?
In a normal heart rhythm, electrical signals travel from the heart's upper chambers (atria) to the heart's lower chambers (ventricles), causing the ventricles to contract and pump blood. In ventricular fibrillation, rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood.
What causes sudden cardiac death?
The longer the body lacks blood, the greater the risk of damage to your brain and other organs. Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. The risk of other long-term complications depends on how fast you receive treatment.
How to do CPR with no pulse?
If no pulse, begin CPR to help keep blood flowing through the body until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available . The American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR. Push hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 to 120 times a minute.
What to do if you have a fast heartbeat?
If you see someone collapse, seek emergency medical help immediately. Follow these steps: Call 911 or your local emergency number . If the person is unconscious, check for a pulse.
How Is Ventricular Fibrillation Diagnosed?
Your doctor can use testing to determine if you’re at risk of a VF episode. Examples of tests that are used for diagnosis include:
What Are the Symptoms of Ventricular Fibrillation?
When VF occurs, the two chambers in the lower portion of your heart aren’t able to pump hard enough to move blood through your body. These lower chambers are called ventricles. This makes your blood pressure drop quickly and keeps blood from traveling through your body. As a result, blood can’t get to your vital organs.
What is VF in heart?
VF often begins with ventricular tachycardia, which is a very rapid heartbeat that changes the electrical impulses in your heart. This most often occurs in people who have scar tissue from previous heart attacks or heart muscle damage due to heart conditions.
What is VF in medical terms?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a condition in which your heart beats in an abnormal rhythm. Your heart should beat in a regular, steady pattern. VF causes your heart to beat quickly and out of rhythm.
How do you know if you have VF?
Fainting or losing consciousness are the most common symptoms of VF, earlier symptoms include: chest pain. dizziness. nausea. rapid, fluttering heartbeat. shortness of breath. These early symptoms can occur one hour or less before fainting or loss of consciousness occurs.
What is the name of the device that uses sound waves to create an image of your heart in action?
an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create an image of your heart in action
What to do if you have VF?
If you’re experiencing VF symptoms, have someone nearby call 911. If you suspect someone around you is experiencing VF, call 911.
Why do cardiologists recommend ventricular fibrillation?
While this procedure is typically used for the treatment of severe coronary artery disease, if ventricular fibrillation occurs due to a heart attack, a cardiologist may recommend this procedure in order to reduce the risk of future episodes. Coronary angioplasty and stent placement opens blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to flow more efficiently to the heart.
What Is Ventricular Fibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation is a condition that is characterized by rapid, erratic heartbeats that cause the heart to abruptly stop effectively pumping blood to the body. This occurs due to disordered electrical impulses in the heart that control the pumping of blood.
How long does ventricular fibrillation last?
If nonsustained, meaning that the rhythm abnormality lasts less than 30 seconds, symptoms may not arise.
What is the condition where the heart stops pumping blood?
Ventricular fibrillation is a condition that is characterized by rapid, erratic heartbeats that cause the heart to abruptly stop effectively pumping blood to the body. This occurs due to disordered electrical impulses in the heart that control the pumping of blood.
What causes ventricular tachycardia?
A variety of health conditions can also lead to ventricular tachycardia. Some of these include: 1 Congenital (present at birth) heart disease 2 A history of heart attack 3 Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) that causes weakened, stretched, or thickened heart muscle 4 Prolonged, untreated ventricular tachycardia 5 Issues with the aorta, the largest artery leaving the heart 6 Very high or very low potassium levels in the blood 7 Sepsis (severe body infection) 3
What is the cause of sudden cardiac arrest?
Ventricular fibrillation , the No. 1 cause of sudden cardiac arrest, impacts the flow of blood to the body and may result in severe consequences to one’s health. Within seconds, a person experiencing ventricular fibrillation can have no sign of a pulse and become unresponsive.
How many people die from ventricular fibrillation?
In the U.S., about 300,000 people die suddenly from ventricular fibrillation annually. 2 Ventricular fibrillation is sometimes triggered by a heart attack and can further cause blood pressure to fall, resulting in a shortage of blood supply and oxygen to vital organs, including the brain.
What is the best treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Reducing your risk. If you’re at risk for ventricular fibrillation and its serious consequences, your doctor may recommend: Arrhythmia medications , which can help control rhythm disturbances. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which can correct abnormal heart rhythms.
What to do if you suspect someone is in cardiac arrest?
No normal breathing (the victim is not breathing or is only gasping) If you suspect someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, it’s vital to respond appropriately and quickly. Call 911, give CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) (PDF) if one is available.
What causes ventricular fibrillation?
The primary cause of VF is hypoxia (lack of oxygen) to the heart muscle, which causes hyperirritability in the cardiac muscle tissue. As a result, multiple muscle cells within the ventricles simultaneously fire as pacemakers causing ...
Which branch of cardiac arrest is used for ventricular fibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation is treated using the left branch of the cardiac arrest algorithm. Click below to view the cardiac arrest algorithm diagram. When done click again to close the diagram. Cardiac Arrest Algorithm Diagram.
What is the effect of multiple muscle cells within the ventricles simultaneously firing as pacemakers?
As a result, multiple muscle cells within the ventricles simultaneously fire as pacemakers causing a quivering or fibrillation that is ineffective for adequate cardiac output . The two images show what ventricular fibrillation will look like on an EKG rhythm strip.
Can you use sodium bicarbonate after cardiac arrest?
However, routine use of sodium bicarbonate is not recommended for patients in cardiac arrest.”. “There is inadequate evidence to support the routine use of lidocaine after cardiac arrest. However, the initiation or continuation of lidocaine may be considered immediately after ROSC from cardiac arrest due to VF/pVT.
Is sodium bicarbonate good for resuscitation?
A: Here is the AHA position on Sodium Bicarbonate: “In some special resuscitation situations, such as preexisting metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, or tricyclic antidepressant overdose, bicarbonate can be beneficial (see Part 10: Special Circumstances of Resuscitation).
Is ventricular fibrillation pulseless?
Ventricular fibrillation is always pulseless and must be confirmed by EKG or defibrillator monitor. Defibrillation is the treatment of choice and should occur as soon as possible.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Specialist to consult
Coping and Support