Ventricular fibrillation

Question 1

What is ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 1

life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia characterized by disorganized, high-frequency ventricular contractions that result in diminished cardiac output and hemodynamic collapse

Question 2

What are the causes of ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 2

(Cardiovascular disease) Coronary heart disease, MI
(Congenital heart defect)
(Electrophysiologic disorders) Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Long-QT syndrome → torsade de pointes

Question 3

What are the clinical features of ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 3

Chest pain
Palpitation
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Syncope 
Death

Question 4

How is ventricular fibrillation diagnosed?

Answer 4

(ECG) Usually preceeded by ventricular tachycardia
Arrhythmic, fibrillatory baseline, usually > 300 bpm
Erratic undulations with indiscernible QRS complexes
No atrial P waves

Question 5

What is the treatment for ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 5

Cardiac resuscitation
Antiarrhythmics (i.e. IV amiodarone or IV lidocaine)
Beta blockers
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator