Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF, VFib) is a lethal rhythm defined by disorganized electrical activity of the ventricles. On the EKG it creates random, erratic deflections with no discernible pattern.
VFib is the name for disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles that is not functional. It cannot produce a pulse and is considered cardiac arrest.
Fibrillation means disorganized electrical activity and is recorded on the EKG as constant, random, erratic deflections from the baseline.
Once a tracing is identified as having no identifiable waves or patterns it can be classified as VF. A Ventricular Fibrillation EKG is:
An EKG tracing with chaotic and random deflections that produce no patterns whatsoever.
Defining Characteristics of VF
The only defining characteristic of Ventricular Fibrillation is the lack of defining characteristics. If a waveform, complex, segment, or pattern of any type can be identified, the tracing may not be VF. If all of the visible deflections are random, the tracing is VFib.
Because of this VF has no measurement definitions at all as there are no waves or segments to time.
Below are several more examples of Ventricular Fibrillation presented as monitor captures as well as on EKG graphs.
After becoming confident in identifying EKGs as Ventricular Fibrillation head back to our EKG Rhythm Index to find information on another ECG. Otherwise practice interpreting novel EKGs with our EKG Generator:
Basic EKG App
Our Basic EKG Generator is free with an email signup and covers Normal Sinus Rhythm along with common arrhythmia.
Pro EKG App
Our Pro EKG Generator covers over 40 different rhythm categories, multiple display options, has Quiz and Simulation modes, and more! Try it out for just $5 for a month.