Ventricular Fibrillation

Involves very rapid and irregular ventricular activation with no mechanical effect

Aetiology

• In the vast majority of cases is a manifestation of underlying ischemic heart disease

• Other causes include cardiomyopathy, electrolyte imbalance and overdoses of cardiotoxic drugs

Pathophysiology

• Usually provoked by a ventricular ectopic beat

Clinical presentation

• Patient is pulseless and becomes rapidly unconscious; respiration ceases (cardiac arrest)

Investigations

ECG

• Bizarre irregular waveform

• No recognizable QRS complexes

• Random frequency and amplitude

• Uncoordinated electrical activity

Management

• See cardiac arrest

• Long term - ICD