What is it
Ventricular fibrillation is an abnormal contraction of the heart (arrhythmia) in which the rhythm becomes very fast and disordered, to the point of making the contraction of the ventricles ineffective and, consequently, their ability to pump blood into the arteries.
Ventricular fibrillation is in fact the most frequent cause of sudden death.
The causes
The primary cause of ventricular fibrillation is an alteration in the excitability of the cardiac muscle fibers of the ventricles. This happens especially when the fibers no longer receive oxygen.
Among the heart diseases that most often induce ventricular fibrillation are ischemic heart disease, especially myocardial infarction.
Other cardiac pathologies, such as myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy and genetic diseases (arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome) may also be responsible for ventricular fibrillation.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, ventricular fibrillation almost never gives warning symptoms.
It presents suddenly with malaise, loss of consciousness, absence of pulse, stopping breathing, abolition of reflexes.
Complications
Once established, ventricular fibrillation never stops on its own and, if it is not treated properly within a few minutes, its outcome is fatal.
If you do not restore the heart rhythm in 2-3 minutes, the interruption of blood flow for a longer time leads to irreversible brain injury.
Treatment
The only possible therapy is electrical cardioversion, carried out with an external defibrillator that restores the normal rhythm of the heart, together with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
If a defibrillator is not immediately available, it is essential to perform an external cardiac massage and assisted ventilation (or mouth-to-mouth breathing).
There are chronic conditions, such as outcomes of extensive myocardial infarctions or severe heart failure, that are at risk for ventricular fibrillation. In these cases, the implantation of an implantable automatic defibrillator (ICD) is indicated.
When to consult your doctor
Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency that requires timely intervention.
In the event that loss of consciousness occurs with wrists (ie beating on the wrist, neck and groin area) difficult to feel or no longer detectable, it is necessary to call 118 immediately.
While waiting for the ambulance, place the head and neck of the unconscious person in line with the rest of the body to make breathing easier and practice mouth-to-mouth breathing and cardiac massage.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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