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Ventricular fibrillation physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]

Overview

Overview

Patients with ventricular fibrillation usually appear unconscious. Physical examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually remarkable for the loss of consciousness, and pulse.

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Physical examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually remarkable for the tachycardia or absence of pulse, and low level of consciousness.[1]

Appearance of the Patient

  • Patients with ventricular fibrillation usually appear unconscious.

Vital Signs

  • Tachycardia with regular/irregular pulse may be present at the onset of ventricular fibrillation.

Skin

  • Skin examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.

HEENT

  • HEENT examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.

Neck

  • Neck examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
  • Jugular venous distension may be seen if the ventricular fibrillation occurs in the setting of heart failure.

Lungs

Heart

Abdomen

Back

  • Back examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.

Genitourinary

  • Genitourinary examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.

Neuromuscular

  • Neuromuscular examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.

Extremities

  • Extremities examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
  • Pitting edema of the lower extremities may be seen if ventricular fibrillation occurs in the context of heart failure.
References

References

  1. Ludhwani D, Goyal A, Jagtap M. PMID 30725805. Missing or empty |title= (help)

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