Ventricular fibrillation

VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION (VF)

This is very rapid, irregular, and ineffective ventricular activation which produces no pulse. Therefore the patient is pulseless and rapidly becomes unconscious and respiration ceases.

Causes

1. Myocardial infarction

2. Electric shock

3. Hypokalemia

Clinical features

1. Loss of consciousness – within seconds

2. Pulse absent

3. Respiration ceases.

ECG

Shapeless rapid oscillations

Management

Basic life support protocol – ABCDE  CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)

DC cardioversion

Rapid treatment is necessary for cardiac arrest because irreversible brain damage will occur unless some circulation of oxygenated blood can be achieved within two or three minutes: after 3 minutes there will be permanent brain damage.