Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
A Model of Long-Term Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated Rat Hearts
Published on: February 17, 2023
Ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death during myocardial infarction
1rezajabbari77@gmail.com.
Insights
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) complicates ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 11.6% of Danish patients. Novel risk factors include atrial fibrillation and alcohol intake, with high early mortality for VF occurring before or during percutaneous coronary intervention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a significant complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
- Understanding risk factors and outcomes associated with VF in STEMI is crucial for patient management.
- Previous studies have identified some risk factors, but a comprehensive analysis with long-term follow-up is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of VF in Danish STEMI patients.
- To identify independent risk factors for VF in this population.
- To compare short-term and long-term mortality rates for STEMI patients with and without VF, particularly concerning the timing of VF relative to percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a large cohort of Danish STEMI patients.
- Statistical analysis to identify risk factors associated with VF.
- Comparison of mortality rates based on the occurrence and timing of VF (before or during PPCI) versus no VF.
Main Results:
- VF occurred in 11.6% of STEMI patients reaching the hospital.
- Identified risk factors include younger age, family history of sudden death, TIMI flow grade 0, absence of angina, anterior infarction (VF before PPCI), and inferior infarction (VF during PPCI).
- Novel risk factors identified were atrial fibrillation and alcohol intake.
- VF before or during PPCI was associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality compared to STEMI without VF, but long-term mortality rates were similar across groups.
- Mortality within 30 days for VF during PPCI was comparable to VF before PPCI, challenging the notion of 'benign' VF during PPCI.
Conclusions:
- VF remains a common and serious complication of STEMI.
- Specific clinical and demographic factors predict VF occurrence.
- The timing of VF relative to PPCI significantly impacts early survival, highlighting the critical nature of VF, even when occurring during PPCI.
- While early mortality differs, long-term outcomes may be similar for STEMI patients with and without VF, underscoring the importance of immediate management and risk factor modification.
Abstract:
In this PhD thesis, we report that VF is still a common complication of STEMI, with an incidence of 11.6% in the population of Danish STEMI patients who survive to reach the hospital. In this STEMI population, we identified several risk factors associated with VF independent of MI. We identified and confirmed findings from several previous studies and found several risk factors, such as younger age, a family history of sudden death, a TIMI flow grade of 0, the absence of angina, anterior infarction (i.e., VF before PPCI), and inferior infarction (i.e., VF during PPCI) that were associated with VF in a Danish cohort. Furthermore, a history of atrial fibrillation and alcohol intake were identified as novel risk factors for VF. To the best of our knowledge, this study contains data on the largest VF cohort with the longest reported follow-up published; we found that VF mortality is significantly higher within the first 30 days for patients who experience VF before and during PPCI compared with STEMI patients without VF. However, the long-term mortality rates of the three groups are the same. Importantly, our results contradict the previous understanding that VF during PPCI is "benign"; the mortality rate within the first 30 days was as high for patients with VF during PPCI as the mortality rate of patients with VF before PPCI. Finally, although it is difficult to draw clinical implications from a descriptive study, due to the comprehensiveness of Danish death certificates, we reported a high incidence of cardiac symptoms and contact with healthcare professionals based on cardiac symptoms in young SCD patients who died due to CAD, although death was not avoided.
More Related Videos
06:57Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction
Published on: January 31, 2019
06:10Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:29Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
01:29Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
01:28Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations