Ventricular fibrillation overview: Difference between revisions
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==Historical Perspective== | ==Historical Perspective== | ||
Lyman Brewer suggests that the first recorded incident of ventricular fibrillation dates as far back as 1500 BC, and can be found in the [[Ebers papyrus]] of ancient Egypt. The extract recorded 3500 years ago may even date from as far back as 3500 BC. It states: "When the [[heart]] is diseased, its work is imperfectly performed: the vessels proceeding from the [[heart]] become inactive, so that you cannot feel them, if the heart trembles, has little power and sinks, the disease is advanced and death is near." A book authored by Jo Miles suggests that it may even go back farther. Tests done on frozen remains found in the Himalayas seemed fairly conclusive that the first known case of ventricular fibrillation dates back to at least 2500 BC.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brewer LA |title=Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes |journal=Am. J. Surg. |volume=145 |issue=6 |pages=695–701 |year=1983 |pmid=6344674 |doi= 10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1|url=}}</ref> Whether this is a description of ventricular fibrillation is debatable.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brewer LA |title=Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes |journal=Am. J. Surg. |volume=145 |issue=6 |pages=696–702 |year=1983 |pmid=6344674 |doi= 10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1|url=}}</ref> The next recorded description occurs 3000 years later and is recorded by [[Vesalius]], who described the appearance of "worm-like" movements of the heart in animals prior to death. | Lyman Brewer suggests that the first recorded incident of ventricular fibrillation dates as far back as 1500 BC, and can be found in the [[Ebers papyrus]] of ancient Egypt. The extract recorded 3500 years ago may even date from as far back as 3500 BC. It states: "When the [[heart]] is diseased, its work is imperfectly performed: the vessels proceeding from the [[heart]] become inactive, so that you cannot feel them, if the heart trembles, has little power and sinks, the disease is advanced and death is near." A book authored by Jo Miles suggests that it may even go back farther. Tests done on frozen remains found in the Himalayas seemed fairly conclusive that the first known case of ventricular fibrillation dates back to at least 2500 BC.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brewer LA |title=Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes |journal=Am. J. Surg. |volume=145 |issue=6 |pages=695–701 |year=1983 |pmid=6344674 |doi= 10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1|url=}}</ref> Whether this is a description of ventricular fibrillation is debatable.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brewer LA |title=Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes |journal=Am. J. Surg. |volume=145 |issue=6 |pages=696–702 |year=1983 |pmid=6344674 |doi= 10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1|url=}}</ref> The next recorded description occurs 3000 years later and is recorded by [[Vesalius]], who described the appearance of "worm-like" movements of the heart in animals prior to death. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | |||
Ventricular fibrillation is a cause of [[cardiac arrest]] and [[sudden cardiac death]]. The ventricular muscle twitches randomly rather than contracting in a coordinated fashion (from the apex of the heart to the outflow of the [[ventricle]]s), and so the [[ventricle (heart)|ventricle]]s fail to pump [[blood]] into the [[artery|arteries]] and [[systemic circulation]]. Ventricular fibrillation is a sudden lethal [[arrhythmia]] responsible for many deaths in the Western world, and it is mostly caused by [[ischemic heart disease]]. While most episodes occur in diseased hearts, others can afflict normal hearts as well. Despite considerable research, the underlying nature of ventricular fibrillation is still not completely understood. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:42, 17 January 2013
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Ventricular fibrillation Microchapters |
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Differentiating Ventricular Fibrillation from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Ventricular fibrillation overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Ventricular fibrillation overview |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Ventricular fibrillation overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF) is a condition in which there is uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles in the heart, making them quiver rather than contract properly. As a result the heart fails to adequately pump blood and hypoxia will occur followed by unconsciousness within 20 - 30 seconds. Ventricular fibrillation is the most commonly identified arrythmia in cardiac arrest patients.[1] While there is some activity, the lay person is usually unable to detect it by palpating (feeling) the major pulse points of the carotid and femoral arteries. Such an arrhythmia is only confirmed by electrocardiography. Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency that requires prompt Basic Life Support interventions. If this arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, it will likely degenerate further into asystole ("flat line"). This condition results in cardiogenic shock and cessation of effective blood circulation. As a consequence, sudden cardiac death (SCD) will result in a matter of minutes. If the patient is not revived after a sufficient period (within roughly 5 minutes at room temperature), the patient could sustain irreversible brain damage and possibly become brain dead due to the effects of cerebral hypoxia. On the other hand, death often occurs if normal sinus rhythm is not restored within 90 seconds of the onset of VF, especially if it has degenerated further into asystole.
Historical Perspective
Lyman Brewer suggests that the first recorded incident of ventricular fibrillation dates as far back as 1500 BC, and can be found in the Ebers papyrus of ancient Egypt. The extract recorded 3500 years ago may even date from as far back as 3500 BC. It states: "When the heart is diseased, its work is imperfectly performed: the vessels proceeding from the heart become inactive, so that you cannot feel them, if the heart trembles, has little power and sinks, the disease is advanced and death is near." A book authored by Jo Miles suggests that it may even go back farther. Tests done on frozen remains found in the Himalayas seemed fairly conclusive that the first known case of ventricular fibrillation dates back to at least 2500 BC.[2] Whether this is a description of ventricular fibrillation is debatable.[3] The next recorded description occurs 3000 years later and is recorded by Vesalius, who described the appearance of "worm-like" movements of the heart in animals prior to death.
Pathophysiology
Ventricular fibrillation is a cause of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. The ventricular muscle twitches randomly rather than contracting in a coordinated fashion (from the apex of the heart to the outflow of the ventricles), and so the ventricles fail to pump blood into the arteries and systemic circulation. Ventricular fibrillation is a sudden lethal arrhythmia responsible for many deaths in the Western world, and it is mostly caused by ischemic heart disease. While most episodes occur in diseased hearts, others can afflict normal hearts as well. Despite considerable research, the underlying nature of ventricular fibrillation is still not completely understood.
References
- ↑ Michael E Zevitz, MD. "Ventricular Fibrillation". Medscape. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
- ↑ Brewer LA (1983). "Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes". Am. J. Surg. 145 (6): 695–701. doi:10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1. PMID 6344674.
- ↑ Brewer LA (1983). "Sphygmology through the centuries. Historical notes". Am. J. Surg. 145 (6): 696–702. doi:10.1016/0002-9610(83)90124-1. PMID 6344674.