Management of Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation (Prehospital and Emergency Department)

Abstract

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia that leads to a loss of cardiac function and sudden cardiac death. In this review, we summarize therapeutic interventions and guidelines for providers managing patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and refractory ventricular fibrillation in prehospital and emergency settings. Additionally, we review invasive management, including urgent coronary angiography, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and novel strategies for managing refractory ventricular fibrillation arrest. Although the majority of patients with refractory VF do not respond to conventional therapy, recent trials of novel strategies demonstrate encouraging results.

Keywords: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; Refractory ventricular fibrillation; Urgent coronary angiography.