What is recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF)?

Recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) refers to the situation where VF reappears after an initial episode has been successfully treated, such as through defibrillation. This phenomenon signifies that the heart has reverted back to an unstable electrical state following the restoration of a normal rhythm. Such recurrences can indicate underlying cardiac issues that need to be addressed to prevent further episodes.

Other options do not accurately define recurrent VF. For instance, VF that does not respond to shocks reflects a situation where the defibrillation efforts are ineffective, but it does not specifically denote a recurrence. Similarly, VF that occurs for the first time cannot be categorized as recurrent, as the term is reserved for episodes that follow an initial resolution. Lastly, VF that lasts for less than a minute would usually be classified as transient or short-lived, which is distinct from recurrent VF that implies a more substantial reoccurrence of the rhythm disturbance.