What is the most effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia of short duration?

The most effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia of short duration is rapid defibrillation. These conditions are life-threatening and require immediate intervention to restore a normal heart rhythm. Defibrillation delivers an electrical shock to the heart, which can interrupt the chaotic electrical activity and allow the heart's natural pacemaker to regain control, potentially restoring a perfusing rhythm.

When dealing with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, time is a critical factor. Each moment without effective intervention decreases the chances of survival and increases the risk of severe neurological damage. Rapid defibrillation is emphasized in cardiac arrest protocols because it is the most direct way to treat these arrhythmias.

Other treatments such as medication administration, advanced airway management, and high-flow oxygen therapy play essential roles in overall cardiac care but do not directly address the immediate need to restore a normal rhythm as effectively as defibrillation does during these acute episodes. While medications may be administered later once initial rhythm is addressed, defibrillation is prioritized for its immediate lifesaving impact.