Primary ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction

Primary ventricular fibrillation is an acute life-threatening event if not treated promptly. The ability to predict this event during the course of an acute myocardial infarction could therefore have an important impact on the mode of treatment and monitoring. In the present study, clinical and laboratory information available at the initial evaluation of patients with an acute myocardial infarction was tested for its ability to predict subsequent primary ventricular fibrillation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to select the predictors. Serum potassium, serum creatinine and no smoking were significant predictors of subsequent ventricular fibrillation. Although the prediction was statistically significant, the clinical value of the prediction is quite limited.