ventricular fibrillation

American  

[ven-trik-yuh-ler fib-ruh-ley-shuhn] / vɛnˈtrɪk yə lər ˌfɪb rəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Pathology.

1. a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, caused by rapid, chaotic electrical impulses to the ventricles: prevents the heart from pumping blood normally, which leads to a complete loss of blood pressure and pulse, followed rapidly by death if not treated. VF, VFib.

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Etymology

Origin of ventricular fibrillation

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Mr McKeown, who is 37, was taken to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where they discovered he had suffered a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, which is when the heart quivers instead of pumping normally.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2023

As Harmon noted, speculation has been that Hamlin may have suffered what is called commotio cordis, when blunt trauma to the heart leads to ventricular fibrillation.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 3, 2023

The cause was ventricular fibrillation, said a son, Kirk Wortman.

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2020

Her mom’s death certificate attributes the primary cause of her passing to ventricular fibrillation, which the American Heart Assn. calls “the most serious cardiac rhythm disturbance,” preventing the heart from pumping blood.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2019

When he developed ventricular fibrillation, a heart rhythm abnormality that can be fatal within minutes, the problem was quickly fixed.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times