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StatPearls, LLC

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • Cardiac Output
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac
  • Unconsciousness
  • Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening tachyarrhythmia originating from the ventricular myocardium or Purkinje system and characterized by rapid, disorganized electrical activity that produces loss of coordinated myocardial contraction and cessation of cardiac output. The most common precipitating factors include acute myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, severe electrolyte disturbances, drug toxicity, and structural heart disease. Risk increases in patients with prior ventricular tachyarrhythmia, reduced left ventricular function, or inherited channelopathies. The pathophysiology involves chaotic reentrant circuits or focal triggers that prevent synchronous ventricular depolarization. The clinical presentation is abrupt, with loss of consciousness, absence of pulse, and apnea, progressing rapidly to sudden cardiac death without intervention. Diagnosis is confirmed by electrocardiography demonstrating coarse or fine fibrillatory waves without discernible QRS complexes. Immediate management requires high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rapid defibrillation, followed by advanced cardiac life support and identification of reversible causes. Survivors are at risk for recurrence, neurologic injury, and hemodynamic instability. Prognosis depends on time to defibrillation, with early shock delivery improving survival and neurologic outcomes. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance learners’ competence in evaluating and managing ventricular fibrillation. Participants will broaden their grasp of the condition’s etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations. Improved proficiency will equip clinicians to collaborate within interprofessional teams caring for individuals presenting with this potentially fatal arrhythmia.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABOS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 10 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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