Rotor stability separates sustained ventricular fibrillation from self-terminating episodes in humans.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study mapped human ventricular fibrillation (VF) to define mechanistic differences between episodes requiring defibrillation versus those that spontaneously terminate.

Background

VF is a leading cause of mortality; yet, episodes may also self-terminate. We hypothesized that the initial maintenance of human VF is dependent upon the formation and stability of VF rotors.

Methods

We enrolled 26 consecutive patients (age 64 ± 10 years, n = 13 with left ventricular dysfunction) during ablation procedures for ventricular arrhythmias, using 64-electrode basket catheters in both ventricles to map VF prior to prompt defibrillation per the institutional review board-approved protocol. A total of 52 inductions were attempted, and 36 VF episodes were observed. Phas

SUBMITTER: Krummen DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4396824 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature