What is ventricular fibrillation?
When a ventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) becomes very fast and irregular, it’s called ventricular fibrillation. The heart just quivers, and no blood is pumped to the brain or the body. A person with ventricular fibrillation usually passes out very quickly. Unless treatment is given in 5-10 minutes, ventricular fibrillation causes death. In people who don’t have an ICD, ventricular fibrillation is treated with an external defibrillator. Paddles are put on the outside of the chest and an electrical shock is given through the paddles. This shock goes through the heart and stops the irregular beat. The heart then goes back to a more regular rhythm. Unfortunately, ventricular fibrillation can occur without warning-often treatment can’t be given in time. An ICD may be recommended for you because your doctor thinks you’re at high risk for ventricular fibrillation. The ICD can quickly recognize and stop ventricular fibrillation.
When a ventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) becomes very fast and irregular, it’s called ventricular fibrillation. The heart just quivers, and no blood is pumped to the body or the brain. A person with ventricular fibrillation usually passes out very quickly. Unless treatment is given in 5 to 10 minutes, ventricular fibrillation causes death. In people who don’t have an ICD, ventricular fibrillation is treated with an external defibrillator. Paddles are put on the outside of the chest, and an electrical shock is given through the paddles. This shock goes through the heart and stops the irregular beat. The heart then goes back to a more regular rhythm. Unfortunately, ventricular fibrillation can occur without warning–often, treatment can’t be given in time. An ICD may be recommended for you because your doctor thinks you’re at high risk for having ventricular fibrillation. The ICD can quickly recognize and stop ventricular fibrillation.
View a video about Ventricular Fibrillation Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a specific kind of tachyarrhythmia. VF is a very fast, irregular heart rhythm in the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. VF is more serious than VT because the heart’s electrical system and pumping cycle are completely disorganized. The ventricles quiver and little or no blood is pumped to the body. When the heart does not pump blood, the body is quickly starved of oxygen and Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs. The symptoms are immediate: first you lose your pulse, then consciousness, then the ability to breathe. If sudden cardiac arrest occurs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can keep the blood pumping until defibrillation can be used to reset the heart rhythm.
Ventricular fibrillation (VF), often called “V-Fib” is an abnormal heart rhythm often seen in sudden cardiac arrest. This rhythm is caused by an abnormal and very fast electrical activity in the heart. VF is chaotic and unorganized; the heart just quivers and cannot effectively pump blood. VF will be short lived and will deteriorate to asystole (a flat line) if not treated promptly. The treatment for “V-Fib” is defibrillation. For each minute that VF persists, the likelihood of successful resuscitation decreases by approximately 10 percent.
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an abnormal heart rhythm often seen in sudden cardiac arrest. This rhythm is caused by an abnormal and very fast electrical activity in the heart. VF is chaotic and unorganized; the heart just quivers and cannot effectively pump blood. VF will be short lived and will deteriorate to asystole (a flat line) if not treated promptly. For each minute that VF persists, the likelihood of successful resuscitation decreases by approximately 10 percent.
