Background: VF is a life-threatening arrhythmia in the post operative setting and requires immediate treatment/defibrillation.
AEG: This diagnosis can be easily made based on the characteristic surface ECG findings. An AEG will also show far field fibrillation waves. Care needs to be undertaken with the interpretation of the AEG during VF if taken in isolation of the patient’s clinical status s the AEG can appear very similar to a surface ECG during AF. In this case, the AEG may show ventricular fibrillation waves with prominent atrial signals. Torsades de Pointes, can be easily made on the characteristic surface ECG findings as it will show the classic twisting of the ventricular signals. It may or may not demonstrate atrial signals. Above we include a “patent” example of VF/Torsades from a pig experiment. The atrial signals are not discernible on the AEG.
Adenosine: Is not appropriate. Defibrillation is required.
Atrial Overdrive Pacing: Is not appropriate. Defibrillation is required.