What is refractory ventricular fibrillation?

Refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia characterized by ineffective quivering of the heart's ventricles, preventing proper blood circulation. It is termed "refractory" when it does not respond to standard defibrillation attempts or other resuscitative measures. This condition often occurs in patients with severe underlying Heart disease and requires advanced medical intervention, such as the use of antiarrhythmic drugs or advanced life support techniques, to restore normal heart rhythm. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical to improve survival outcomes.