Ventricular FibrillationSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that is life threatening.
VF; Fibrillation - ventricular; Arrhythmia - VF; Abnormal heart rhythm - VF; Cardiac arrest - VF; Defibrillator - VF; Cardioversion - VF; Defibrillate - VF
The heart pumps blood to the lungs, brain, and other organs. If the heartbeat is interrupted, even for a few seconds, it can lead to fainting (syncope) or cardiac arrest.
Fibrillation is an uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscle fibers (fibrils). When it occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, it is called VF. During VF, blood is not pumped from the heart. Sudden cardiac death results.
The most common cause of VF is a heart attack. However, VF can occur whenever the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. Conditions that can lead to VF include:
- Electrocution accidents or injury to the heart
- Heart attack or angina
- Heart disease that is present at birth (congenital)
- Heart muscle disease in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and stretched or thickened
- Heart surgery
- Sudden cardiac death (commotio cordis); most often occurs in athletes who have had a sudden blow to the area directly over the heart
- Medicines
- Very high or very low potassium levels in the blood
Many people with VF have no history of heart disease. However, they often have heart disease risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
A person who has a VF episode will suddenly collapse and become unconscious. This happens because the brain and muscles are not receiving blood from the heart.
The following symptoms may occur within minutes to 1 hour before the collapse:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath
VF is a medical emergency. It must be treated immediately to save a person's life.
Call 911 or the local emergency number for help if a person who is having a VF episode collapses at home or becomes unconscious.
- While waiting for help, place the person's head and neck in line with the rest of the body to help make breathing easier. Start CPR by doing chest compressions in the center of the chest ("push hard and push fast"). Compressions should be delivered at the rate of 100 to 120 times per minute. Compressions should be done to a depth of 2 to 2 ¼ inches (5 to 6 cm).
- Continue to do this until the person becomes alert or help arrives.
VF is treated by delivering a quick electric shock through the chest. It is done using a device called an external defibrillator. The electric shock can immediately restore the heartbeat to a normal rhythm and should be done as quickly as possible. Many public places now have these machines.
Medicines may be given to control the heartbeat and heart function.
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that can be implanted in the chest wall of people who are at risk for this serious rhythm disorder The ICD detects the dangerous heart rhythm and quickly sends a shock to correct it. It is a good idea for family members and friends of people who have had VF and heart disease to take a CPR course. CPR courses are available through the American Red Cross, hospitals, or the American Heart Association.
M Health Fairview Heart Clinic Fulton
Jason Bartos is a Cardiologist and an Interventional Cardiologist practicing medicine in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Bartos is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Fibrillation. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiac Arrest, Ventricular Fibrillation, Cardiogenic Shock, Angioplasty, and Aortic Valve Replacement. Dr. Bartos is board certified in Interventional Cardiology: American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2017, Critical Care Medicine: American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2016, Cardiovascular Disease: American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2015, and Internal Medicine: American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2013.
Duke Cardiology Arringdon
Jonathan Piccini is a Cardiologist and a Cardiac Electrophysiologist practicing medicine in Morrisville, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 24 years. Dr. Piccini is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Fibrillation. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Atrial Fibrillation, Ventricular Fibrillation, Ventricular Tachycardia, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Piccini is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Cardiovascular Disease and American Board Of Internal Med, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysio.
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute Kenilworth
Brian Powell is a Cardiologist and a Cardiac Electrophysiologist practicing medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Powell is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Fibrillation. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Arrhythmias, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Cardiomyopathy, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Powell is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, American Board Of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and American Board Of Internal Medicine, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Powell is currently accepting new patients.
VF will lead to death within a few minutes unless it is treated quickly and properly. Even then, long-term survival for people who live through a VF attack outside of the hospital is low.
People who have survived VF may be in a coma or have long-term brain or other organ damage.
Summary: Short-coupled ventricular fibrillation (SCVF) is a lethal, primary electrical disorder and an important cause of unexplained cardiac arrest.1 Recent work from our group suggests that a substantial proportion of SCVF cases is associated to circulating autoantibodies targeting TREK-1, a cardiac potassium channel, resulting in an abnormal gain-of-function which is the prerequisite for the SCVF phenot...
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Advanced cardiovascular imaging using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has proven to be effective in providing gold standard myocardial tissue characterization. Moreover, the intrinsic advantage of MRI's lack of exposure to ionizing radiation is particularly beneficial. At the same time, blood work can be very useful in early detectio...
Published Date: June 01, 2026
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Al-Khatib SM, Stevenson WG, Ackerman MJ, et al. 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society [published correction appears in J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(14):1760]. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(14):1677-1749. PMID: 29097294 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097294/.
Garan H. Ventricular arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 53.
Stevenson WG, Zeppenfeld K. Ventricular arrhythmias. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 49.