Ventricular Fibrillation
OVERVIEW
- requires a initiating stimulus in a susceptible myocardium.
CAUSES
- Electrical (electrocution, lightning, trauma)
- Ischaemia/hypoxic susceptibility (respiratory arrest)
- Electrolyte abnormality (low K and Mg)
- Altered autonomic and vagal inputs
- Mechanical stimuli (wire or catheter in RV)
- Congenital susceptibility (conduction abnormalities)
- Acquired disorders (ischaemia, hypertrophy, myocarditis, pro-arrhythmic drugs)
MANAGEMENT
- Early defibrillation (monophasic/biphasic – max J)
- Correction of cause (wire, electrolytes, hypoxemia)
- CPR (with minimal interruption)
- Ventilation
- Anti-arrhythmics
References and Links
- LITFL ECG Library – Ventricular fibrillation
- LITFL ECG Library – Ventricular Flutter
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC