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What is ventricular fibrillation current?

Feb 09, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
The minimum current passing through the human body that causes ventricular fibrillation is called the ventricular fibrillation current. Ventricular fibrillation current depends not only on electrical parameters such as duration of current, current pathway, and type of current, but also on individual physiological characteristics such as tissue properties and cardiac function. If any bodily abnormalities are noticed, it is essential to seek timely medical attention at a hospital to prevent worsening of the condition.

The minimum current that passes through the human body and induces ventricular fibrillation is called the ventricular fibrillation current. The magnitude of ventricular fibrillation current depends not only on electrical parameters such as duration of current flow, current pathway, and type of current, but also on individual physiological characteristics including tissue properties and cardiac function.

Ventricular fibrillation current refers to the minimum current passing through the human body that causes the ventricles to undergo fibrillatory contractions. Ventricular fibrillation can lead to death within a short period of time, making ventricular fibrillation current an important quantitative indicator for fatal electric shock. There is a close relationship between ventricular fibrillation current and duration of exposure: when the duration is shorter than a cardiac cycle, the fibrillation current is several hundred mA; however, when the duration exceeds a cardiac cycle, the fibrillation current drops to only 50 mA. The path the current takes through the body also critically affects the magnitude of fibrillation current—when current passes directly through the heart, even a few tens of mA may induce ventricular fibrillation.

When ventricular fibrillation occurs, life-saving resuscitation measures such as artificial respiration and chest compressions must be performed immediately. Under ventricular fibrillation, the electrical signals are small and irregular, and blood circulation effectively ceases. Death may occur within minutes if no intervention is provided. If any abnormal physical symptoms are noticed, prompt medical attention at a hospital is essential to prevent worsening of the condition.

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How long after ventricular fibrillation does death occur?
Ventricular fibrillation can lead to death if not promptly treated within 4 to 6 minutes. It is a severe type of arrhythmia; when it occurs, the ventricles lose their ability to contract and are instead replaced by uncoordinated and rapid twitching, resulting in the heart's inability to pump blood. On auscultation, heart sounds are clearly absent.
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What type of electrical defibrillation is used for ventricular fibrillation?
In general, ventricular fibrillation is treated with unsynchronized direct current (DC) defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a severe arrhythmia that often leads to cardiac arrest and sudden death. Electrical defibrillation is currently an effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation, capable of restoring normal heart rhythm by delivering an electric current, typically using unsynchronized DC shocks. Currently, commonly used defibrillators include manual defibrillators and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
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Dr. Tian Hongbo
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What does ventricular fibrillation mean?
Ventricular fibrillation generally refers to rapid and irregular excitation of the ventricles, typically exceeding 240 beats per minute. It may result from drug toxicity, electric shock, surgical accidents, or underlying conditions such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease causing acute myocardial ischemia, leading to abnormal cardiac electrical conduction. It is a severe type of arrhythmia that can rapidly progress to cardiac arrest.
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Dr. Tian Hongbo
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What tests are performed after restoration from ventricular fibrillation?
Examinations after restoration from ventricular fibrillation typically include echocardiography, electrocardiogram, blood tests, and cardiac monitoring. Specifically, echocardiography can assess cardiac structure and function, evaluate the heart's systolic and diastolic performance after recovery from ventricular fibrillation, and determine whether any cardiac abnormalities are present. Blood tests can measure cardiac-related biochemical markers, such as cardiac enzymes and troponin.
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Emergency Medications for Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular Fibrillation Emergency Medication Protocol: Initiate external cardiac compression immediately. Perform electrical defibrillation without delay using a defibrillator. After defibrillation, continue external cardiac compression and artificial respiration, and administer intravenous epinephrine 1 mg. Additionally, administer an antiarrhythmic agent—either amiodarone or lidocaine. If defibrillation is unsuccessful, administer amiodarone or lidocaine. For amiodarone, the initial intravenous dose is 300 mg.
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What is ventricular fibrillation?
In general, ventricular fibrillation may be caused by factors such as drug toxicity, myocarditis, hypokalemia, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. It is important to maintain a regular daily routine, quit smoking and avoid alcohol, follow a low-fat and easily digestible diet, engage in moderate exercise while avoiding strenuous activities, have regular follow-up examinations, take medications as prescribed, and pay attention to psychological adjustment to maintain a positive mood.
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Dr. Tian Hongbo
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