What is the primary treatment for ventricular fibrillation?

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac rhythm that requires immediate intervention to restore a normal heart rhythm. The primary treatment for VF is a combination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.

CPR is critical in the early moments of VF as it helps maintain blood circulation to vital organs until a defibrillator can be used. Defibrillation delivers an electrical shock to the heart, which is necessary to reset the heart's electrical activity and potentially restore a normal rhythm. The effectiveness of defibrillation is significantly increased when performed promptly, making it an essential part of the treatment protocol.

While medications like amiodarone may be used after initial defibrillation in cases of persistent VF or after multiple shocks, they are not the primary immediate treatment. Synchronized cardioversion is more appropriate for treating certain types of tachycardia that are not life-threatening compared to the chaotic rhythm of VF. Therefore, the combination of CPR and defibrillation is the core response to this emergency condition.