Ventricular fibrillation
Alternative Names
VF; Fibrillation - ventricular
Symptoms
A person who has a VF episode will suddenly collapse or become unconscious, because the brain and muscles have stopped receiving blood from the heart.
The following symptoms may occur within 1 hour before the collapse:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Rapid heart beat
- Shortness of breath
Exams and Tests
VF is an emergency condition. Seek immediate medical attention.
The pulse in the neck and groin area may be hard or impossible to feel. The person will be unresponsive. The health care provider will listen to the heart with device called a stethoscope. The heartbeats may not be heard, or they may be very irregular.
A cardiac monitor will show a disorganized heart rhythm.
References
Bernard SA, Gray TW, Buist MD: Treatment of Comatose Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Induced Hypothermia. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346(8): 557-63
Healey JS, Hallstrom AP, Kuck KH, et al. Role of the implantable defibrillator among elderly patients with a history of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Eur Heart J. 2007 Feb 5; [Epub ahead of print].
Fish FA. Ventricular fibrillation: basic concepts. Pediatr Clin North Am. Oct 2004; 51(5): 1211-21.
Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2005:852-853.
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