Ventricular Fibrillation: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The heart sustains the rest of the body by pumping and supplying blood to it. The pumping action is achieved by stimulation from electrical signals. Interruption of the regular rhythmic heartbeat, even for a few seconds, can lead to cardiac arrest and death. Fibrillation is an uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscle fibers. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition which occurs when the heart's lower chambers contract in a rapid, unsynchronized way. During ventricular fibrillation, the heart pumps little or no blood.

Following are the causes, symptoms and treatment for ventricular fibrillation.

Causes

There are several conditions that can lead to ventricular fibrillation. Some of them are:

• Heart attack
• Electrocution accidents or injury to the heart
• Congenital heart disease
• Heart surgery
• Heart muscle disease, including cardiomyopathies
• Ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart muscle because of narrowed coronary arteries or shock)
• Drowning
• Very low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
• Sudden cardiac death (commotio cordis), typically occurring in athletes after a trauma over the surface of the heart

Many people who suffer from ventricular fibrillation have no history of heart disease. As with most heart ailments, certain habits increase a person's risk factor, such as smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Symptoms

A ventricular fibrillation episode will cause the heart to stop supplying blood to the the brain and muscles, resulting in the person suddenly collapsing or becoming unconscious. Cardiac arrest is diagnosed when a person suddenly collapses, turns deadly white, has very dilated pupils, and has no detectable pulse, heartbeat, or blood pressure. Ventricular fibrillation causes unconsciousness in a matter of seconds. For up to one hour prior to an episode of ventricular fibrillation, a person may exhibit any of the following symptoms: chest pain, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.

Treatment

Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency condition and needs immediate medical attention. If the person exhibits any of the symptoms, one must immediately call a local emergency number. During this time, the person will be unresponsive and it is highly impossible to find their pulse. While waiting for medical assistance to arrive, place the person’s head and neck in line with the rest of the body to help make breathing easier. If you are aware of how to administer CPR, then start mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions. Continue to do this until help arrives or the person becomes alert. The emergency medical team will quickly examine the patient while continuing CPR. He will then be taken to the hospital. On reaching the hospital, the patient is treated with quick electric shocks through the chest using a device called an external defibrillator. The electrical shock can immediately restore the heartbeat to a normal rhythm.

Electrocardiography (ECG) helps determine the cause of cardiac arrest. Antiarrhythmic drugs may then be given to help maintain the normal heart rhythm and function. People who experience an episode of ventricular fibrillation are most likely have heart muscle damage and may require additional treatment.

Prognosis & Prevention

Ventricular fibrillation can lead to death within a few minutes or a few days. Survivors of ventricular fibrillation may suffer complications including coma, nerve problems similar to those after a stroke or reduced mental perception. People who are successfully resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation and survive are at a high risk of another episode. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended to prevent future episodes in these patients. Some are also prescribed medicines to control the heartbeat.

Automated external defibrillators are now available for use during an emergency at many public places and a few airlines. Older people or patients with heart disease should invest in these machines.

It is advisable for everyone, especially family members and friends of ventricular fibrillation survivors and patients with heart disease to take a CPR course. The knowledge of CPR is a handy skill, and may enable you to play a role in saving someone's life.