How does a defibrillator work

A defibrillator is a machine intended to treat ventricular fibrillation. To do this, the defibrillator made by Defibrillator Manufacturers passes a transitory electrical current through the heart, which depolarizes cardiac muscle and permits the body’s natural pacemaker to re-establish a correct rhythm.

A pair of electrodes, along with electrically conductive cream, enable this current via a variance in potential (or voltage); the cream decreases the natural resistivity of body tissues and stops electrical burns. Traditional defibrillator electrodes come in the method of metal blades with sequestered handles, while some modern defibrillators instead use glue pads with conductive cream already applied.

Numerous kinds of defibrillators exist in the market that is made by Defibrillator Manufacturers, changing the application. Manual defibrillators—the ones that likely come to mind for most laypeople—need professional training to use correctly. Using an electrocardiogram (integral or separate), the operator identifies the heart rhythm present and, if a possibly fatal arrhythmia is found, physically sets the voltage and length of the shock before applying the electrodes.

Conductive cream is also applied physically before use. Paddle electrodes occur almost wholly on manual external defibrillators used in hospital locations, often with disposable conductive cream pads. With training, the paddles can be positioned and activated rapidly, saving precious time in a procedure where every second means additional tissue damage.

Automated external defibrillators, though, have set voltages and the competence to identify heart rhythms when the electrodes are positioned on the victim’s chest. The AED will not direct the shock unless treatable ventricular fibrillation is noticed, so the user doesn’t have to be officially trained to recognize a shockable rhythm. For this specific reason, AEDs are most valuable for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.