Final answer:
V-fib, also known as ventricular fibrillation, is a life-threatening heart condition characterized by a chaotic and disorganized heartbeat, which requires immediate treatment with defibrillation.
Step-by-step explanation:
V-fib, or ventricular fibrillation, is a condition where the heart beats in a chaotic and disorganized manner. This arrhythmia is a medical emergency, as it prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood. During ventricular fibrillation, the heart's electrical activity becomes so erratic that the ventricles (the heart's main pumping chambers) quiver instead of contracting properly.
In the absence of immediate treatment, such as defibrillation which applies a charged electrical shock to the heart, V-fib can lead to brain death and is potentially fatal. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), designed to be used even by nonmedical personnel, can deliver this life-saving electrical shock.