Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
12:03

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs

Published on: April 25, 2014

Prognosis of early versus late ventricular fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction

S Behar1, Y Kishon, H Reicher-Reiss

  • 1Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

International Journal of Cardiology
|July 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Patients experiencing late ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction face poorer in-hospital and 1-year outcomes. However, this survival difference diminishes by 5 years post-discharge, indicating improved long-term recovery for these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Earlier studies suggest a poorer prognosis for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with late ventricular fibrillation (VF) (> 24 hours) compared to those with early VF (< 24 hours).
  • The SPRINT Registry provides a dataset to investigate the outcomes associated with early versus late VF in AMI patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the in-hospital and long-term mortality outcomes of patients experiencing early versus late ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction.
  • To identify whether late VF is an independent predictor of mortality in AMI patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 5839 consecutive AMI patients hospitalized between August 1981 and July 1983.
  • Data collected from hospitalization charts and 1-year follow-up; mortality assessed up to mid-1988 (mean 5.5 years).
  • Exclusion of patients with VF in the setting of cardiogenic shock; analysis focused on early (n=155) versus late (n=109) VF groups.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of VF in the SPRINT Registry was 6% (371/5839).
  • Patients with late VF were older and had a more complicated hospital course.
  • In-hospital (63% vs. 26%) and 1-year post-discharge mortality (17% vs. 4%) were significantly higher in the late VF group (P < 0.05).
  • Late VF was an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (OR, 4.29; 95% CI, 2.11-8.74).
  • Mortality differences between early and late VF groups vanished by 5 years post-discharge.

Conclusions:

  • Late ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction is associated with significantly worse in-hospital and 1-year post-discharge outcomes compared to early VF.
  • While late VF predicts increased in-hospital mortality, it does not predict long-term mortality, suggesting a potential for long-term recovery.
  • These findings highlight the importance of immediate management strategies for patients with late VF during AMI.

More Related Videos

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing12:45

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing

Published on: December 11, 2017

A Model of Long-Term Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated Rat Hearts07:56

A Model of Long-Term Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated Rat Hearts

Published on: February 17, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias01:29

Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are irregular heart rhythms that result from abnormal electrical activity in the heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood efficiently. Tachyarrhythmias, a subset of dysrhythmias, are characterized by abnormally fast heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute. Here are some types of tachyarrhythmias with their distinct ECG features:Sinus Tachycardia:Sinus tachycardia presents a regular heart rhythm with an increased rate of 101-180 beats per minute.
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...