ventricular fibrillation
Also written as: VF — ventricular fibrillation
A chaotic, ineffective heart rhythm that requires immediate defibrillation during cardiac procedures.
Full Definition
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by rapid, chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles that prevents effective cardiac output. In cardiac anesthesia, VF may occur during manipulation of the heart, electrolyte imbalances, or ischemia. The condition appears as a disorganized, fine or coarse waveform on the ECG and requires immediate electrical defibrillation to restore normal rhythm. Unlike controlled cardioplegic arrest, VF is an emergency situation requiring prompt intervention.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as VF or V-fib in medical records.
In Context
- "The patient developed ventricular fibrillation during sternal retraction and was immediately defibrillated." — anesthesia record
- "Internal paddles were used to cardiovert the ventricular fibrillation to sinus rhythm." — operative note