Which treatment is recommended for ventricular fibrillation (Vfib)?

The recommended treatment for ventricular fibrillation (Vfib) involves both defibrillation and the administration of amiodarone. This approach is crucial because Vfib is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia that results in the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, leading to a loss of consciousness and the absence of a pulse.

Defibrillation is the primary treatment for Vfib and is essential for restoring a normal heart rhythm. The electric shock delivered by the defibrillator causes depolarization of the heart muscle, which can interrupt the chaotic electrical activity of Vfib and allow the heart to regain a coordinated beat.

In addition to defibrillation, administering antiarrhythmic medications like amiodarone can help stabilize the heart's electrical activity post-defibrillation or in cases where defibrillation alone is not sufficient to restore normal rhythm. Amiodarone works on various ion channels and helps to prolong the refractory period, thus reducing the likelihood of reoccurrence of Vfib.

The combination of these two interventions maximizes the chances of successful resuscitation, making the approach of defibrillation along with the administration of amiodarone the most effective treatment for Vfib.