Defibrillators are devices that apply an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat. A defibrillator provides an electric shock to the heart to get it out of a potentially fatal abnormal rhythm like ventricular fibrillation and back to a normal rhythm. There are two main types - internal defibrillators that are implanted and external defibrillators that are used manually or automatically. Defibrillation is used for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia while cardioversion is used for rhythms where the patient has a pulse like supraventricular tachycardia.
3. Defibrillator
? Defibrillators are devices that apply an electric
charge or current to the heart to restore a
normal heartbeat.
? A defibrillator is a device that provides an
electric shock to the heart to allow it to get
out of a potentially fatal abnormal heart
rhythm, or arrhythmia, — ventricular
tachycardia (with no pulse) or ventricular
fibrillation — and back to a normal rhythm.
5. Defibrillation
? Defibrillation is the immediate administration
of an electrical current to help restore normal
cardiac function.
? Defibrillation is administered when the client
does not have a pulse.
? The typical rhythms for defibrillation are
ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular
tachycardia (without a pulse).
6. Cardioversion
? Cardioversion involves the use of low-energy
electrical shocks to resume the heart’s normal
electrical rhythm.
? t is important to remember that cardioversion
is only used for dysrhythmia in which the
client has a pulse.
7. Types of Defibrillator
? Internal Defibrillator :
I. Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)
? External Defibrillator:
I. Manual External Defibrillator
II. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
11. Defibrillator Wave forms
? Monophasic wave form: Energgy is delivered
through the patient’s chest in a “single
direction”.
? Biphasic wave form: Energy is delivered
through the patient’s chest in two directions.
12. Energy Levels for Defibrillation
? Defibrillation for Ventricular fibrillation and
Pulse less ventricular tachycardia:
I. Monophasic : 360 J
II. Biphasic : 120-200 J
III. If unknown: use maximum available dose
(manufacturer recommended.)
14. Clinical Indications
Indications for Cardioversion:
I. Supraventricular tachycardia
II. Atrial fibrillation
III. Atrial flutter
IV. Ventricular Tachycardia with pulse
15. Electrode Position
? The anterior electrode is
placed on the right, below the
clavicle.
?The apex electrode is applied
to the left side of the patient,
just below and to the left of
the pectoral muscle.
16. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
? Defibrillator
? Conductive medium- defibrillator pads
? Cardiac monitor with recorder
? Emergency cart and medications
? Emergency pacing equipment