Primary ventricular fibrillation

12-lead ECG of ventricular fibrillation

Primary ventricular fibrillation (PVF) is an unpredictable [1] and potentially fatal arrhythmia occurring during the acute phase of a myocardial infarction leading to immediate collapse and, if left untreated, leads to sudden cardiac death within minutes. In developed countries, PVF is a leading cause of death.[2] Worldwide, the annual number of deaths caused by PVF is comparable to the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents.[3] A substantial portion of these deaths could be avoided by seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms are noticed.[2]

  1. ^ Gheeraert PJ, De Buyzere ML, Taeymans YM, Gillebert TC, Henriques JP, De Backer G, De Bacquer D (2006). "Risk factors for primary ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Eur Heart J. 27 (21): 2499–510. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehl218. PMID 16952926.
  2. ^ a b "primaryventricularfibrillation.com". Archived from the original on 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  3. ^ Mathers CD, Loncar D (2006). "Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030". PLOS Med. 3 (11): e442. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442. PMC 1664601. PMID 17132052.