Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib, VF) is uncoordinated contraction of cardiac muscle of the ventricles (in the heart), making them quiver rather than contract properly.

• Palpating the major pulse points of the carotid and femoral arteries, although the lay person is usually unable to detect it
• ECG, to confirm

Source: RNCeus

• Asystole (flatline), if the arrhythmia continues for >few seconds. This causes cardiogenic shock, and cessation of effective blood circulation. Thus, sudden cardiac death will result in a matter of minutes

• Medical emergency, that requires prompt advanced life support intervention
• If the Pt is not revived after a sufficient period (within roughly 5 mins at room temperature), the Pt could sustain irreversible brain damage, and possibly become brain-dead, due to the effects of cerebral hypoxia
• Death often occurs if sinus rhythm is not restored within 90 seconds of the onset of VF, especially if it has degenerated further into asystole

• Most common arrhythmia in cardiac arrest Pt's

• Arrhythmia (category)