Surviving Two Hours of Ventricular Fibrillation

Case Report

A 42-year-old man was found unresponsive to external stimuli and pulseless at an outdoor temperature of 1°C. CPR was started at the scene by laypersons, and the emergency medical services (EMS) arrived 5 minutes after the emergency call. Resuscitation was initiated by EMS.

The first recorded rhythm was ventricular fibrillation (VF), which persisted, despite repeated defibrillation. The patient showed signs of severe hypothermia and, during ongoing CPR, was transported to hospital where on arrival the patient's rectal temperature was measured at 22°C.

Resuscitation measures were continued and warming was started at the emergency room. Due to persistent VF and deep hypothermia, the patient was transferred to a cardiothoracic surgical unit for rewarming with ECC.

At commencement of ECC, CPR had been going for approximately 130 minutes and a total of 38 defibrillations had been made. During this time interval the patients was pulseless. At a core temperature of 30°C, one defibrillation restored sinus rhythm and subsequently stable circulation was achieved.

The patient received a further 24 hours of hypothermia treatment at 32–34°C. He was discharged to rehabilitation facilities after 3 weeks of hospital care.

Three months after the cardiac arrest the patient was fully recovered, was back to work, and had resumed normal activities.