The Purpose Of Defibrillation

What Is Defibrillation?

Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. It is used when the person's heart fails to maintain an effective cardiac output.

Defibrillation can be used to treat ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). It may also be used to treat other types of life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia with pulses (VT with pulses), as well as supraventricular tachycardia.

The purpose of defibrillation is to:

1. Restore an effective heartbeat
2. Restore regular blood flow through the body
3. Reduce further damage to the brain and other organs

Having AEDs readily available saves lives. Many movie theaters, hotels, banks, and other businesses now have AEDs on site. Not only does it make sense for homes, it also makes sense for schools and public places.

When Should Defibrillation Be Used?

Defibrillation is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA. When the heart's electrical system malfunctions, it stops beating properly and blood stops flowing through the body. This can be fatal if not treated immediately.

In SCA, once the heart stops beating, there is a period of time when it may still be possible to save the patient. If defibrillation is done within three to five minutes of the onset of SCA, it can restart the heart and prevent brain damage from lack of oxygen.

What Happens During Defibrillation?

Defibrillation is a treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. When the heart beats too fast or too slowly, or skips beats, it may not be able to pump enough blood throughout the body. When this happens, less oxygen reaches tissues and organs, which can be harmful or even deadly if not treated quickly. The electrical shock delivered during defibrillation starts a new beat in the heart that forces it to beat at a normal rate.

Defibrillation involves placing paddles on both sides of the chest and delivering a high-energy electric shock to the heart through these paddles. The electric shock causes all muscle fibers in the heart wall to contract simultaneously, restoring its normal beating pattern (sinus rhythm).

Are There Any Side Effects Of Defibrillation?

Defibrillation is generally very safe, but it can cause some side effects in some people. These include mild pain, bruising or muscle soreness at the site where the paddles were placed on the patient's chest.

Who Can Use A Defibrillator?

AEDs can be used by anyone, even those without medical training, to treat someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating due to cardiac arrest. The AED prompts you through each step of the process and informs you when it's safe to administer treatment if needed.

Save Lives With An AED

AED Advantage has a variety of defibrillator units to fit the needs of your facility, whether it be a small office or large federal organization. They provide you with quality life saving devices, and very knowledgeable customer service that can help answer any questions you might have. Visit their website today to learn more.