title: Ventricular fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction. Two distinct clinical and electrocardiographic features.
abstract: Two distinct electrocardiographic patterns of ventricular fibrillation (VF) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were observed in 34 patients during the first 24 hours from initial symptoms. Type 1 (seven patients) was characterized by fast disorganized ventricular activity, small voltage, and no clear identifiable QRS complexes (fine VF). Type 2 (27 patients) was defined as multiform QRS configuration (greater than 300/min) with marked changes in the amplitude (polymorphous VF). Type 1 rhythm was seen mostly during the hyperacute ischemic phase, probably associated with total coronary vessel occlusion; type 2 was observed when Q waves were already present in the electrocardiogram.
authors.affiliation: Israel and Ione Massada Center for Heart Diseases, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rechavia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sclarovsky
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strasberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sagie
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Topaz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agmon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology