Question of the Day

This is ventricular fibrillation: note the absence of p waves, wide oscillation of the baseline, and lack of discernible QRS complexes. The lack of coordinated ventricular depolarization results in cardiac muscle fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

This is an emergency and requires immediate intervention. This is a shockable rhythm; perform cardiac defibrillation immediately and institute cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation.

Ventricular fibrillation is an uncommon cause of cardiac arrest in small animals. Cardiac arrest is seen most commonly secondary to asystole, which is not a shockable rhythm. Always perform an electrocardiogram to determine the cardiac rhythm before defibrillation.

Image courtesy of Jer5150.