Mechanism of Ventricular Fibrillation: Current Status and Problems

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) causes failure of synchronous contraction the heart ventricles, resulting in cardiac collapse. Currently, VF is still major cause sudden death, and strategies such as prevention, prediction, immediate termination are not yet established. This article reviews progress research on mechanism proposes a future direction to elucidate it. Historical hypotheses proposed for were wandering wavelets, mother rotors, multiple foci. Current concept combination these hypotheses, but remains be explicated. Rotor, spiral shape excitation wavefront, plays role VF. The rotor eventually breaks up creates unstable rotors by pathological electrophysiological abnormalities, terminating irreversible dynamics influenced many factors ion channel modification, alternance intracellular calcium, restitution characteristics repolarization duration. break-up created head–tail interaction rotor, or area ischemic tissue zone. advance computer approach has realized simulation complex model, which provides deep insight into background three dimensional settings. Also, mapping techniques including only activation mapping, also phase variance analysis help understanding rotor/filament during Topological chaotic have been developed evaluate VF, it impossible control behavior Many non-cardiac induce reduce characteristics. Cardiac include Purkinje fiber, calcium dynamics, channels, gap junction. Interventions parameters potential prevent Optimal factor(s) may used therapy, clinically useful method developed. Non-cardiac influencing hypokalemia, hypothermia, failure, ischemia, autonomic nerve. detailed mechanisms modification each factor clarified; however, no universal related determined order accomplish therapy.