4th May 2025

Ventricular Fibrillation

VF is defined as rapid disorganised ventricular activity. This results in no uniform ventricular contractions and as a result leads to loss of cardiac output.

ECG shows a rapid ventricular rate of 300-400bpm. Over time, the amplitude of these irregular deflections decreases. (Coarse VF to fine VF).

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (2020). Ventricular Fibrillation, Licensed under a creative commons licence. Available for free at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Ventricular_fibrillation.png/640px-Ventricular_fibrillation.png (Accessed 1 May 2025).

Management

• Prompt defibrillation
• Reversal of underlying cause * Tricyclic Antidepressant overdose is treated with Sodium Bicarbonate solution*