Automated external defibrillator

Automated external defibrillator

An automated external defibrillator is used to detect and treat emergency severe heart arrythmia such as ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) and ventricular tachycardia (v-tach). V-fib is a condition wherein the electrical system of the heart is pulsating in a chaotic manner, resulting in an ineffective transfer of blood from the heart to the body (and brain), which ends in cardiac arrest. V-tach is a condition wherein the heart is beating too fast to render effective transfer of blood from the heart to the body (and brain). Frequently, v-tach can lead to v-fib. A defibrillator clears the electrical system (a reboot of sorts) and allows it to start over.

The Automated External Defibrillator is automated in that the shock level is not user-selectable, and the user cannot override "no shock" advice. It is external in that there are pads that are attached to the patient/victim, rather than an implant surgically placed in the patient/victim's chest.

Once the pads are attached to the patient, the machine will analyze the rhythm of the patient's heart and determine if a shock is necessary to treat v-tach or v-fib. If the machine determines that a shock is necessary, it will charge up and prepare to deliver the shock. When the machine is prepared, it will notify the user, and instruct the user to make user no one is touching the patient and then press a button on the machine to actually deliver the shock.

After the shock is delivered, the machine will monitor the patient's rhythm to determine if further shocks are necessary.

If the patient's heart rate is too slow, these devices typically do not pace the heart to make it beat faster.

All AEDs manufactured and approved for use in the US feature a synthesized voice prompting the user or users through every step of use. They are particularly made to be operated by untrained and minimally trained individuals. The use of AEDs is taught in Basic Life Support (BLS) classes nation-wide.