What cardiac rhythm is often associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest?

Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic electrical activity in the heart that leads to the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively. This arrhythmia arises from disorganized electrical signals in the ventricles, resulting in a quivering instead of a coordinated contraction. Because the heart cannot effectively pump blood, it can quickly lead to loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, and, if not treated immediately, sudden cardiac death.

The association of ventricular fibrillation with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest is primarily due to its nature as a life-threatening rhythm. It is often seen in patients with significant underlying heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, or cardiomyopathy. Recognition and prompt treatment of this rhythm, typically through defibrillation, are crucial to restoring normal cardiac function and preventing sudden cardiac arrest.