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Long-term prognosis following ventricular fibrillation in acute ischaemic heart disease
Insights
Survivors of ventricular fibrillation (VF) after acute ischemic heart disease generally have a good long-term prognosis, similar to those without VF. Early VF, within 24 hours of symptom onset, indicates a younger patient with a milder attack and better outlook.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Outcomes
Background:
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a critical complication of acute ischemic heart disease.
- Understanding the long-term prognosis of VF survivors is crucial for patient management.
- Factors influencing outcomes in VF complicating myocardial infarction require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients who survived ventricular fibrillation complicating acute ischemic heart disease.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with favorable long-term outcomes after VF.
- To assess the impact of the timing and number of VF episodes on long-term survival and work capacity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 160 patients who survived ventricular fibrillation during acute ischemic heart disease.
- Comparison of long-term prognosis between VF survivors and patients with myocardial infarction not complicated by VF.
- Assessment of patient demographics, clinical presentation (mild vs. severe attack), timing of VF, and number of episodes.
Main Results:
- Of 160 VF survivors, 80 had experienced a clinically mild coronary attack.
- Most long-term survivors experienced VF within 24 hours of symptom onset.
- Long-term prognosis for VF survivors was similar to non-VF complicated myocardial infarction patients; younger patients with early VF (within 4 hours) and milder attacks had the best prognosis.
- The number of VF episodes did not adversely affect long-term prognosis.
- 86% of eligible survivors were fit for work, with 68% actively employed.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular fibrillation in acute ischemic heart disease does not necessarily portend a worse long-term prognosis compared to uncomplicated myocardial infarction.
- Early onset of VF, particularly within 4 hours of symptoms, is associated with a younger demographic, milder cardiac events, and a more favorable long-term outlook.
- A significant majority of VF survivors are capable of returning to work, indicating good functional recovery.
Abstract:
Of 160 patients who survived ventricular fibrillation complicating acute ischaemic heart disease, 80 had had a clinically mild coronary attack. Most of the long-term survivors had ventricular fibrillation within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. The longterm prognosis of the survivors was similar to that of patients whose myocardial infarction was not complicated by ventricular fibrillation. Those patients who survived ventricular fibrillation which occurred within four hours of the onset of symptoms were younger, usually had had a mild coronary attack, and had the most favourable longterm prognosis. The number of episodes of ventricular fibrillation did not affect adversely the long-term prognosis. Of those who at the time of review were eligible to work, 86% were fit to work and 68% were actually at work.