Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, often resulting in sudden cardiac death if not promptly managed. In this arrhythmia, the ventricles quiver chaotically at a rate of up to 500 beats per minute, failing to contract in a coordinated manner. This leads to an immediate cessation of cardiac output and a consequent drop in blood pressure to zero.

ECG Findings:

i. Irregular, chaotic deflections of varying amplitude

ii. Absence of identifiable P waves

iii. Extremely rapid heart rate, typically between 150-500 beats per minute

iv. No specific pattern to the discharges, reflecting the disorganized electrical activity within the ventricles.

Management: Immediate Unsynchronized Cardioversion

Further Reading: Ventricular Fibrillation