Primary Ventricular Fibrillation

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Abstract
Despite years of observation in coronary care units, there is still considerable uncertainty about the short-term and long-term prognostic implications of ventricular fibrillation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Primary ventricular fibrillation, defined as fibrillation that occurs suddenly and in the absence of cardiogenic shock or advanced congestive heart failure, is thought to represent an isolated electrical event resulting from acute ischemic injury. Once reversed, it is believed to be associated with an excellent prognosis. By contrast, secondary ventricular fibrillation is characterized as a terminal or preterminal arrhythmia in patients with severe pump dysfunction and circulatory failure, in whom recovery . . .