Ventricular fibrillation epidemiology and demographics
Template:Ventricular Fibrillation Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Epidemiology and Demographics
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the industrialised world. It exacts a significant mortality with approximately 70,000 to 90,000 sudden cardiac deaths each year in the United Kingdom, and survival rates are only 2%.[1] The majority of these deaths are due to ventricular fibrillation secondary to myocardial infarction, or "heart attack".[2] During ventricular fibrillation, cardiac output drops to zero, and, unless remedied promptly, death usually ensues within minutes.
References
- ↑ National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidelines 2000
- ↑ Myerburg RJ et al. 1995