Ventricular fibrillation is often associated with which underlying condition?

Ventricular fibrillation is often associated with which underlying condition?

• A. Large myocardial infarction
• B. Pulmonary embolism
• C. Severe hypertension
• D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

Ventricular fibrillation reflects severe electrical instability of the ventricles, most often precipitated by acute extensive ischemia from a large myocardial infarction. When a big region of the heart muscle becomes ischemic and damaged, conduction becomes highly heterogeneous and areas of the ventricle fire in an uncoordinated, chaotic pattern. Ion-imbalance and cell injury during a large infarct promote this rapid, disorganized activity, so the heart can no longer pump effectively. Other conditions may cause different problems, but ventricular fibrillation is most classically linked to a large or transmural myocardial infarction, which creates the widespread electrical disruption that leads to fibrillation.

Ventricular fibrillation reflects severe electrical instability of the ventricles, most often precipitated by acute extensive ischemia from a large myocardial infarction. When a big region of the heart muscle becomes ischemic and damaged, conduction becomes highly heterogeneous and areas of the ventricle fire in an uncoordinated, chaotic pattern. Ion-imbalance and cell injury during a large infarct promote this rapid, disorganized activity, so the heart can no longer pump effectively.

Other conditions may cause different problems, but ventricular fibrillation is most classically linked to a large or transmural myocardial infarction, which creates the widespread electrical disruption that leads to fibrillation.