Can stress cause ventricular fibrillation?

Chronic stress can lead to reduced heart rate variability, increased QT dispersion and reduced baroreceptor sensitivity. Patients with greatest changes in the cardiac neural regulation associated with increased sympathetic activity due to stress have the greatest risk for developing fatal ventricular arrhythmias [9].

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Is fine VF shockable?

If there is doubt about whether the rhythm is asystole or very fine VF, revert to the non-shockable arm of the algorithm, since: True fine VF is unlikely to be shocked successfully . Repeated shock of fine VF or asystole will cause myocardial injury, from both the electricity delivered and the interruptions to CPR.

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