Ventricular fibrillation

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Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

VF; Fibrillation - ventricular

An implantable defibrillator can help prevent future VF episodes in some patients. Others may need medicine to control the heartbeat.

Many public places and airplanes now have automated external defibrillators for use in an emergency. Individuals may also buy such machines and keep them at home. The use of such defibrillators have proven to save lives.

Another option for individual use is a defibrillator vest.

It is a good idea for family members and friends of both VF survivors and patients with heart disease in general to take a CPR course. CPR courses are locally available through the American Red Cross, hospitals, or the American Heart Association.

Bernard SA, Gray TW, Buist MD: Treatment of Comatose Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Induced Hypothermia. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346(8): 557-63

Healey JS, Hallstrom AP, Kuck KH, et al. Role of the implantable defibrillator among elderly patients with a history of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Eur Heart J. 2007 Feb 5; [Epub ahead of print].

Fish FA. Ventricular fibrillation: basic concepts. Pediatr Clin North Am. Oct 2004; 51(5): 1211-21.

Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2005:852-853.

Review Date: 02/07/2007
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.