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.



17/05/2023 - New videos added FRACGP study notes section- Rosacea, Rhinophyma)
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