Defibrillator Samaritan

Some Defibrillators Were Recalled

Various Forms and Uses of a Defibrillator

In the field of medicine, a defibrillator plays a very essential role. When heartbeat becomes dangerously fast and chaotic due to ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, defibrillators deliver an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. Using it helps prevent cardiac arrest and cardiac death from happening. Patients with cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, QT syndrome or survivors of sudden cardiac death require defibrillation.

Defibrillation is the ultimate treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. To deliver a therapeutic jolt of electrical energy to the affected heart, a defibrillator is used. Such treatment restores normal heart rhythms before cardiac arrest occurs. It works by depolarizing a critical mass of the heart muscle, stopping the arrhythmia, and reestablishing normal sinus rhythm.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Current Concepts: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators after Myocardial Infarction (New England Journal of Medicine)REVIEW ARTICLE: Current Concepts: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators after Myocardial Infarction (New England Journal of Medicine)
Patients with a history of myocardial infarction and a reduced ejection fraction are at increased risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Which of these patients are the most appropriate candidates for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy is unclear. Factors influencing the decision are discussed.

Defibrillators have several forms and sizes. Manual defibrillators or defibrillator paddles are what you see in a clinical setting such as the hospital. They can only be used by trained and skilled healthcare professionals. Automatic external defibrillators or AED can be used by lay people with only less training, which makes it perfect for emergency instances where no healthcare professional is present. ICDs or implantable cardioverter defibrillators are implanted in the patient’s chest.

There’re two types of manual defibrillators: external and internal. External units work together with electrocardiogram readers. Through the device, the clinician can diagnose a cardiac condition, decide on the right amount of charge in joules, and send the shock through pads or paddles. However, such process necessitates thorough medical knowledge and experience. Because of that, you can only see these units in hospitals and some ambulances, generally.

Manual internal defibrillators are just about identical to the external version. The difference is that the charge is delivered through internal leads attached to the heart. The leads are used to detect when the heart is experiencing a rhythm that demands a shock, and to deliver the shock. Generally, you can find these units exclusively in operating rooms, where the chest is likely to be open, or can be quickly opened by a surgeon.

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For emergency cases where no healthcare professional is around, AEDs are available. Automated external defibrillators are based on computer technology to study the heart rhythm and advise whether a shock is necessary. Unlike manual types, AEDs can be used by lay persons with less training. PADs or public access defibrillators are AEDs that can be found in public places including airports, hotels, and shopping centers. There are also some AEDs which are held by trained personnel who will attend incidents.

Then, there’re implantable cardioverter defibrillators or ICDs. These units are implanted in the patient’s chest, and they may also perform the pacemaking function. ICDs constantly monitor the patient’s heart rhythm, and if needed, also correct an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia according to the device’s programming. In the event of complex arrhythmias, such devices can be combined with a pacemaker.

Those are the different types and uses of a defibrillator. But although they are different in shape and size, all of them have a specific goal. That is to convert an unhealthy cardiac rhythm into a more normal rhythm. And whether, it is used by medical professionals or lay men, external or internal, automatic or manual, it helps lessen incidences of cardiac arrest or cardiac death.

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