kammiovärinässä

Kammiovärinä, also known as ventricular fibrillation (VF), is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia characterized by rapid, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles of the heart. This chaotic electrical signaling prevents the heart muscle from contracting effectively, leading to a loss of coordinated pumping action. As a result, the heart is unable to pump blood to the rest of the body, causing a state of cardiac arrest.

The most common cause of kammiovärinä is ischemic heart disease, particularly during an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Other contributing factors can include severe electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium or magnesium levels, certain heart conditions like cardiomyopathy, and drug toxicity. In some cases, it can also occur in individuals with structurally normal hearts, which is termed idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.

Symptoms of kammiovärinä are sudden and severe. They include an abrupt loss of consciousness, absence of pulse, and cessation of breathing. Without immediate intervention, kammiovärinä is fatal within minutes.

The primary treatment for kammiovärinä is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. Defibrillation involves delivering an electrical shock to the heart in an attempt to reset its electrical rhythm. Prompt recognition and rapid response are critical for survival. Survival rates are significantly higher when defibrillation is administered quickly after the onset of the arrhythmia. Medical professionals will also work to identify and treat the underlying cause of the kammiovärinä to prevent recurrence.