fibrillating
Rapid irregular beating
Fibrillating describes something undergoing fibrillation—rapid, irregular, uncoordinated contractions.
The term appears almost exclusively in cardiac contexts: a fibrillating heart quivers chaotically rather than pumping effectively.
The patient's fibrillating heart required immediate defibrillation.
Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening; atrial fibrillation is more common and manageable.
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- ventricularOf heart's lower chambers
- cardioversionArrhythmia correction procedure
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
pacemaker · electrocardiogram · ablation · sinus rhythm · anticoagulation · warfarin · electrophysiology · cardiomyopathy
Involuntary shaking motion
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- flutteringLight, rapid movement
- vibratingTrembling rapidly in place
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
palpitating · oscillating · shivering · quaking · tremulous · pulsating · juddering · wobbling
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- spasmodicOccurring in irregular bursts
disorderly · haphazard · uncontrolled · fluctuating · random · scattered · intermittent · unstable
arrhythmia
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- ventricularOf heart's lower chambers
- cardioversionArrhythmia correction procedure
tachycardia · pacemaker · electrocardiogram · ablation · sinus rhythm · anticoagulation · warfarin · electrophysiology · cardiomyopathy · thromboembolism
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- flutteringLight, rapid movement
- vibratingTrembling rapidly in place
shuddering · palpitating · oscillating · shivering · quaking · tremulous · pulsating · juddering · wobbling · spasming
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
spasmodic · disorderly · haphazard · uncontrolled · fluctuating · random · scattered · intermittent · unstable · volatile
fibrillatingregular
Occurring at fixed intervals
rhythmic · steady · still · motionless · synchronized
- atrial fibrillationDisorganized cardiac rhythm disorder
- ventricular fibrillationDeadly heart rhythm disorder