Fibrillation

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Fibrillation is the rapid, irregular, and unsynchronized contraction of the muscle fibers of the heart. There are two major classes of fibrillation, atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation.

• Atrial fibrillation can be a chronic condition, usually treated with anticoagulation and sometimes with conversion to normal sinus rhythm.

• Ventricular fibrillation is rapidly fatal if not reversed by defibrillation.

Fibrillation may sometimes be used after heart surgery to stop the heart from beating while any minor leaks are stitched up. Medifib

• Simulated Ventricular Fibrillation Interactive Java applet, with information.

• Simulated Atrial Fibrillation Interactive Java applet, with information.

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