What is a key treatment for Ventricular Fibrillation?

Direct-current shock, also known as defibrillation, is the key treatment for Ventricular Fibrillation (VF). During VF, the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, preventing it from pumping blood effectively. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. Defibrillation restores a normal rhythm by delivering a controlled electrical shock to the heart, allowing it to resume a coordinated contraction.

While medications play a role in post-resuscitation care or in conjunction with other treatments for VF, they are not the primary treatment for a patient experiencing VF. CPR serves as an essential life-saving measure when defibrillation cannot be administered immediately, as it helps maintain some blood flow to vital organs, but it does not address the underlying electrical chaos of VF. Ventricular pacing is not applicable to VF, as it is typically used for bradycardia or certain types of heart block, not for a rhythm characterized by disorganized electrical activity.