# Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life

Nabil Dib, Raphaël Martins, Erwan Flécher

► To cite this version:

Nabil Dib, Raphaël Martins, Erwan Flécher. Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life. Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular, 2023, 38 (6), pp.e20210428. 10.21470/1678-9741-2021-0428. hal-04284070

HAL Id: hal-04284070

https://hal.science/hal-04284070

Submitted on 29 May 2024

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<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
# Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life

Nabil Dib, Raphaël Martins, Erwan Flécher

► To cite this version:

Nabil Dib, Raphaël Martins, Erwan Flécher. Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life. Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular, 2023, 38 (6), pp.e20210428. 10.21470/1678-9741-2021-0428. hal-04284070

HAL Id: hal-04284070

https://hal.science/hal-04284070v1

Submitted on 29 May 2024

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access
archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-
entific research documents, whether they are pub-
lished or not. The documents may come from
teaching and research institutions in France or
abroad, or from public or private research centers.

L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est
destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de
recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
publics ou privés.

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
# Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life

Nabil Dib<fnref n="1" />, MD, MSc; Raphael Martins<fnref n="2" />, MD, PhD; Erwan Flécher<fnref n="1" />, MD, PhD

This study was carried out at the University Hospital Centre, Rennes, France.

## ABSTRACT

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a deadly rhythm problem. With asystole, it represents one of the most extreme emergencies that may engage vital prognosis within only few minutes if appropriated treatment is not instituted. It is learned in all medical schools worldwide that VF is not compatible with consciousness and sustained life.

Moreover, at 37°C, and without restauration of cardiac flow, VF may be responsible for severe and most often irreversible brain damage after 3 minutes.

**Keywords:** Biological Phenomena. Cardiovascular Diseases. Physiological Phenomena. Ventricular Fibrillation.

## Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols

VF = Ventricular fibrillation

Herein we report an exceptional case of a patient who presented with authentic ventricular fibrillation (VF) for many hours and who remained perfectly conscious and walking into our hospital[1-3].

A 57-year-old male with previous Hodgkin's lymphoma had complications related to radiotherapy. Radiotherapy-induced coronary lesions were clinically treated, and severe aortic stenosis justified transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The latter required a pacemaker implantation due to a high-degree atrioventricular block. After temporary clinical improvement, refractory heart failure occurred. Heart transplantation was not indicated and a left ventricular assist device (Jarvik® Heart Inc., NY) (Figure 1) was implanted in destination therapy. Three years later, the patient was hospitalized for asthenia and anemia. On admission, VF was discovered although the patient was alert and ambulatory (Video).

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>Fig. 1 - Jarvik® 2000 before implantation.</figcaption></figure>

Correspondence Address:

Nabil Dib

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4257-6991

2 rue Henri le Guilloux, Rennes, France

Zip code: 35000

E-mail: nabil.dib@anemf.org

Article received on August 17th, 2021.

Article accepted on September 23rd, 2021.

<footnote n="1">¹Division of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²Division of Cardiology, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France.</footnote>
# Ventricular Fibrillation Is a Sign of Life

Nabil Dib<fnref n="1" />, MD, MSc; Raphael Martins<fnref n="2" />, MD, PhD; Erwan Flécher<fnref n="1" />, MD, PhD

This study was carried out at the University Hospital Centre, Rennes, France.

## ABSTRACT

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a deadly rhythm problem. With asystole, it represents one of the most extreme emergencies that may engage vital prognosis within only few minutes if appropriated treatment is not instituted. It is learned in all medical schools worldwide that VF is not compatible with consciousness and sustained life.

Moreover, at 37°C, and without restauration of cardiac flow, VF may be responsible for severe and most often irreversible brain damage after 3 minutes.

**Keywords:** Biological Phenomena. Cardiovascular Diseases. Physiological Phenomena. Ventricular Fibrillation.

## Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols

VF = Ventricular fibrillation

Herein we report an exceptional case of a patient who presented with authentic ventricular fibrillation (VF) for many hours and who remained perfectly conscious and walking into our hospital[1-3].

A 57-year-old male with previous Hodgkin's lymphoma had complications related to radiotherapy. Radiotherapy-induced coronary lesions were clinically treated, and severe aortic stenosis justified transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The latter required a pacemaker implantation due to a high-degree atrioventricular block. After temporary clinical improvement, refractory heart failure occurred. Heart transplantation was not indicated and a left ventricular assist device (Jarvik® Heart Inc., NY) (Figure 1) was implanted in destination therapy. Three years later, the patient was hospitalized for asthenia and anemia. On admission, VF was discovered although the patient was alert and ambulatory (Video).

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>Fig. 1 - Jarvik® 2000 before implantation.</figcaption></figure>

Correspondence Address:

Nabil Dib

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4257-6991

2 rue Henri le Guilloux, Rennes, France

Zip code: 35000

E-mail: nabil.dib@anemf.org

Article received on August 17th, 2021.

Article accepted on September 23rd, 2021.

<footnote n="1">¹Division of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²Division of Cardiology, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

**Video** – Evidence of ventricular fibrillation in a male speaking patient.
Link: https://s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/publisher.gn1.com.br/bjcvs.org/videos/e20210428.mp4

The pacemaker examination revealed 36 hours of continued VF. An electric shock restored sinus rhythm and a defibrillator was implanted in place of the pacemaker. Clinical condition of the patient dramatically improved, and he was promptly discharged. He died from septic shock 3 months later.

**No financial support.**
**No conflict of interest.**

**Authors' Roles & Responsibilities**

**ND** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

**RM** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

**EF** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

**REFERENCES**

1. Mathey J, Binet JP, Vernant P, Chateaureynaud J, Oustrieres G. Guérison d'un cas authentique de fibrillation ventriculaire. Mem Acad Chir (Paris). 1954;80(19-20):523-9. French.

2. Soffer J, Dreifus LS, Michelson EL. Polymorphous ventricular tachycardia associated with normal and long Q-T intervals. Am J Cardiol. 1982;49(8):2021-9. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(82)90224-7.

3. Brochier M, Fauchier JP. Torsades de pointe et rentrées provoquées par les antiarythmiques. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1978;71(4):477-88. French.

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

**Video** – Evidence of ventricular fibrillation in a male speaking patient.
Link: https://s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/publisher.gn1.com.br/bjcvs.org/videos/e20210428.mp4

The pacemaker examination revealed 36 hours of continued VF. An electric shock restored sinus rhythm and a defibrillator was implanted in place of the pacemaker. Clinical condition of the patient dramatically improved, and he was promptly discharged. He died from septic shock 3 months later.

**No financial support.**
**No conflict of interest.**

## Authors' Roles & Responsibilities

**ND** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

**RM** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

**EF** Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published

## REFERENCES

1. Mathey J, Binet JP, Vernant P, Chateaureynaud J, Oustrieres G. Guérison d'un cas authentique de fibrillation ventriculaire. Mem Acad Chir (Paris). 1954;80(19-20):523-9. French.

2. Soffer J, Dreifus LS, Michelson EL. Polymorphous ventricular tachycardia associated with normal and long Q-T intervals. Am J Cardiol. 1982;49(8):2021-9. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(82)90224-7.

3. Brochier M, Fauchier JP. Torsades de pointe et rentrées provoquées par les antiarythmiques. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1978;71(4):477-88. French.

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>