defibrillation

(noun)

The stopping of the fibrillation of the heart in order to restore normal contractions, especially by the use of an electric shock.

Related Terms

  • cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • artificial respiration
  • artificial pacemaker
  • fluoroscopy

Examples of defibrillation in the following topics:

  • Artificial Pacemakers

    • Some combine a pacemaker and defibrillator in a single implantable device.
    • Sometimes devices resembling pacemakers, called implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), are implanted.
    • An ICD has the ability to treat many types of heart rhythm disturbances by means of pacing, or defibrillation.
  • Arrhythmia

    • These palpitations have also been known to be caused by atrial/ventricular fibrillation, wire faults, and other technical or mechanical issues in cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators.
    • Defibrillation differs in that the shock is not synchronized.
    • Often, more electricity is required for defibrillation than for cardioversion.
    • In most defibrillation, the recipient has lost consciousness so there is no need for sedation.
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

    • Administration of an electric shock to the subject's heart, termed defibrillation, is usually needed in order to restore a viable or "perfusing" heart rhythm.
    • Defibrillation is only effective for certain heart rhythms, namely ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, rather than asystole or pulseless electrical activity.
  • Heart Failure

    • Echocardiography may also aid in deciding what treatments will help the patient, such as medication, insertion of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronization therapy.
  • Aging and the Cardiovascular System

    • These can also be caused by atrial/ventricular fibrillation, wire faults, and other technical or mechanical issues in cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators.
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