How is Ventricular Defibrillation Treated?

How is Ventricular Defibrillation Treated? Related Information:

The only treatment for ventricular fibrillation is a defibrillator. Ventricular fibrillation occurs when lower chambers of the heart contract rapidly and in an irregular fashion. Instead of beating in a normal pattern, the heart flutters and pumps very little or no blood to the brain. This causes the victim to collapse since the heart stops beating. Unless a defibrillator is used within minutes of the attack, the patients may die. If it happens in a hospital, then a defibrillator is close by. When it happens in the street or at home, those who are near the victim should call for help immediately.

If you are near a person who has had cardiac arrest, the layman’s terms for ventricular defibrillation, the first aid measures you need to take should be:

Call for help

Position the patient’s head so that it is in line with the rest of the body making it easier for the patient to breathe.

Try to locate a pulse by placing your fingers on one of the carotid arteries in the neck.

Start CPR using mouth to mouth resuscitation and chest compressions

Continue until the patient revives or medical help arrives

The paramedics will use a defibrillator to get the heart restarted by delivering a quick electric shock throughout the patient’s body. Once they have stabilized the heart rhythm, they will administer medication through an IV to keep the heart stabilized for transport to the hospital. At the hospital, the patient will go through a series of medical tests and examinations to determine the cause of the cardiac arrest.

People who suffer ventricular fibrillation may never regain a normal heart rhythm and they are prone to other attacks. It is possible the complications may arise as a result of damage done to the heart and they may die within a few days. Some of these complications include coma, reduced mental acuity and neurological problems similar to those of a stroke. An implantable defibrillator that the surgeon will place in their chests during a surgical procedure usually treats those who do survive.

An implantable defibrillator consists of three parts: a defibrillator, leads and a programmer. The defibrillator is a small metal case that contains the electronics and the batteries. It is similar to a pacemaker in that it is designed to correct arrthymias, but instead of increasing a slow heart rate, a defibrillator detects and corrects both fast and slow heart rates. The leads are specialized, thin, insulated wires that are attached to the defibrillator to sense the rhythm of the heart and deliver the necessary therapy. The programmer stays in the hospital of clinic where medical personnel monitor the defibrillator.

The follow up treatment depends on the cause of the ventricular fibrillation. An implantable defibrillator is usually the last course of treatment that is used. Other treatments include medications to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol, medications to treat arrhythmia or other heart conditions and heart surgery to remove any blockages that have been found.

To help reduce the risk of having an attack of ventricular fibrillation you should:

Eat a low fat, low cholesterol diet
Exercise regularly
Lose excess weight
Keep a check on high blood pressure and cholesterol
Take medications as instructed by your doctor.

There may be factors leading to an attack that you have no control over, such as your age, a family history of heart disease or a heart problem that you were born with. Eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking and abusing drugs and alcohol will help you live a long and healthy life.