Fibrilace

Fibrilace, or fibrillation, is a rapid, irregular contraction of muscle fibers caused by disorganized electrical activity. In medical contexts it most often refers to the heart, where the electrical impulses lose their coordinated pattern and produce very fast, unsynchronized contractions. The two main clinical forms are atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm disturbance. It results from chaotic electrical activity in the atria, leading to an irregularly irregular heartbeat and the absence of distinct atrial contractions. AF can be paroxysmal, lasting minutes to hours and then resolving, or persistent or permanent. It is associated with risk factors such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity, and alcohol use. Symptoms may include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue, but some patients are asymptomatic. AF increases the risk of stroke due to embolism from the left atrium.

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening emergency characterized by chaotic, uncoordinated electrical activity in the ventricles, leading to an arrest of effective cardiac output. It requires immediate defibrillation and advanced cardiac life support.

Diagnosis is typically by electrocardiography (ECG), which shows irregular R-R intervals and absence of organized P waves in AF, or a rapid, irregular, irregular waveform in VF. Treatment depends on the type and severity: AF management may involve rate control, rhythm control, and anticoagulation to reduce stroke risk; electrical cardioversion or antiarrhythmic drugs may restore normal rhythm. VF requires prompt defibrillation and CPR. Prognosis depends on underlying conditions and the promptness of treatment.