fibrillation

[fib-ruh-ley-shuhn, fahy-bruh-]

noun

1. the formation of fibrils, or fine fibers or filaments.

2. Pathology.,  uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscle fibers, such as those of the heart.

fibrillation

/ ˌfaɪbrɪˈleɪʃən, ˌfɪb- /

noun

1. a local and uncontrollable twitching of muscle fibres, esp of the heart, not affecting the entire muscle. Atrial fibrillation results in rapid and irregular heart and pulse rate. In ventricular fibrillation , the heart stops beating

2. irregular twitchings of the muscular wall of the heart, often interfering with the normal rhythmic contractions

fibrillation

1. A rapid twitching of muscle fibers, as of the heart, that is caused by the abnormal discharge of electrical nerve impulses. Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fibrillation¹

First recorded in 1830–40; fibrillate + -ion

Example Sentences

The positive result came after Bayer stopped a trial of the same drug to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation two years ago, because an existing treatment called apixaban performed better.

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Sales of the company’s cardiac ablation products, a set of treatments for the heart condition atrial fibrillation, were up 71% compared with the same quarter last year.

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SGK1 inhibitors are already being evaluated for use in other conditions, including atrial fibrillation.

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As many as 25 million Americans might have atrial fibrillation without showing symptoms, and iRhythm’s fans hope doctors will use its patch to screen older patients who are at moderate risk of heart problems.

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Part of the cardio growth story is the Watchman product, a small implant that closes the left atrial appendage of patients with atrial fibrillation, or AF.

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