What is the primary treatment for ventricular fibrillation?

What is the primary treatment for ventricular fibrillation?

• A. Medications only
• B. Cardiac defibrillation
• C. Increased oxygen supply
• D. Manual chest compressions

Answer: (B)

The primary treatment for ventricular fibrillation is cardiac defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by the chaotic electrical activity in the heart, leading to ineffective quivering of the ventricles instead of a coordinated contraction. This results in the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death if not addressed immediately.

Cardiac defibrillation delivers a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the heart. This shock aims to reset the heart's electrical system and restore a normal rhythm. Defibrillation is most effective when administered within a few minutes of the onset of ventricular fibrillation, as the survival rate decreases significantly with each passing minute without proper intervention.

While medications, increased oxygen supply, and manual chest compressions are crucial components of advanced cardiac life support, they serve different roles in the overall management of cardiac arrest. Medications may assist in rhythm stabilization after defibrillation, oxygen supply can support overall tissue perfusion, and chest compressions provide temporary circulation until definitive treatment is applied. However, for the immediate reversal of ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation remains the critical first-line treatment.