Ventricular Fibrillation

Question 1

Define ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 1

Ventricular fibrillation is a heart rhythm problem that occurs when the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses. This causes pumping chambers in your heart (the ventricles) to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping blood.

Question 2

Explain the aetiology/risk factors of ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 2

A previous episode of ventricular fibrillation
A previous heart attack
Congenital heart disease
Cardiomyopathy
Injuries that cause damage to the heart muscle, such as electrocution
Use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine
Significant electrolyte abnormalities, such as with potassium or magnesium

Question 3

Summarise the epidemiology of ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 3

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation occurs with a reputed incidence of approximately 1% of all cases of out-of-hospital arrest, as well as 3–9% of the cases of ventricular fibrillation unrelated to myocardial infarction, and 14% of all ventricular fibrillation resuscitations in patients under the age of 40.

Question 4

Recognise the presenting symptoms of ventricular fibrillation. Recognise the signs of ventricular fibrillation on physical examination.

Answer 4

Chest pain
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Loss of consciousness

Question 5

Identify appropriate investigations for ventricular fibrillation and interpret the results.

Answer 5

ECG
CXR
CT Angiogram
FBC
Serum potassium
Serum magnesium

Question 6

Generate a management plan for ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 6

Beta blockers
Permanent pacemaker

In acute ventricular fibrillation (VF), drugs (eg, vasopressin, epinephrine, amiodarone) are used after three defibrillation attempts are performed to restore normal rhythm.

Question 7

Identify the possible complications of ventricular fibrillation and its management.

Answer 7

Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. The condition’s rapid, erratic heartbeats cause the heart to abruptly stop pumping blood to the body. The longer the body is deprived of blood, the greater the risk of damage to your brain and other organs. Death can occur within minutes.
The condition must be treated immediately with defibrillation, which delivers an electrical shock to the heart and restores normal heart rhythm.

Question 8

Summarise the prognosis for patients with ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 8

The rate of long-term complications and death is directly related to the speed with which you receive defibrillation.