Self-Terminated Ventricular Fibrillation and Recurrent Syncope

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a lethal arrhythmia that requires immediate cardioversion and is rarely self-terminating. Spontaneous termination is typically associated with more organized activation than sustained VF terminated by shock, but the precise mechanism is unclear. In the present case,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of cardiology 2011-02, Vol.107 (4), p.638-640
Main Authors: Konstantino, Yuval, MD, Morello, Angela, MD, Zimetbaum, Peter J., MD, Josephson, Mark E., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiology
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cardiovascular
Coronary Occlusion - complications
Defibrillators
Defibrillators, Implantable
Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes
Electrocardiography
Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy
Heart
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Recurrence
Syncope - etiology
Syncope - therapy
Treatment Outcome
Ventricular Fibrillation - diagnosis
Ventricular Fibrillation - etiology
Ventricular Fibrillation - therapy
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Description
Summary:Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a lethal arrhythmia that requires immediate cardioversion and is rarely self-terminating. Spontaneous termination is typically associated with more organized activation than sustained VF terminated by shock, but the precise mechanism is unclear. In the present case, we describe a patient with recurrent syncope and documented self-terminating VF, who ultimately underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion. Assessment of the rhythm strip revealed organization of a chaotic rhythm into monomorphic ventricular tachycardia before termination, in supportive of previous reports. In conclusion, self-terminating VF is a very rare condition that can cause syncope.
ISSN:0002-9149
1879-1913
DOI:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.10.025