Abnormal Heart Rhythm

Ventricular Fibrillation

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Treatment for your child's ventricular fibrillation (VF) will depend on the type and severity of their condition and the results of their diagnostic tests, such as the electrophysiology (EP) study. You and your doctor will decide which treatment is right for your child.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) -- While not a cure for heart rhythm problems, a defibrillator is a medical device that stops a very fast heart rhythm, brings the heartbeat back to normal and may prevent sudden cardiac death. Defibrillator paddles may either be applied to the chest externally or the defibrillator may be implanted internally, which is known as an internal cardiovertor defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is the most common therapy for children with VF.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007