types of defibrillators

Types of Defibrillators

Defibrillator is a device that sends electrical current, or shock, to the heart to revive normal heart beat. The aim of using defibrillator device is to treat cardiac arrest, arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib).

1. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)

2. Advanced life support defibrillators

3. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)

4. Manual external defibrillators

5. Manual internal defibrillators

6. Wearable cardiac defibrillators (WCDs)

1. Automated external defibrillators (AED)

AED is type of external defibrillators. AEDs can identify both ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. If the machine notices either of these irregular heart rhythms, it administers a shock to restore the patient’s pulse. 

Automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and treat through defibrillators apply electric current which stops arrhythmia and allow to return normal heartbeat.

Indications

1. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

2.Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

2. Advanced life support (ALS) defibrillators

ALS defibrillators devices use by trained medical professionals only. 

AEDs devices are designed to use by public access mean to use by anyone, whether they are trained or not.

3. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD)

Also called automatic internal cardiac defibrillator (AICD).

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device placed in the chest to detect and stop irregular and stop irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). 

ICD continuously monitors the heartbeat and delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm.

4. Manual external defibrillators

Manual external defibrillators have electrocardiogram (ECG) leads and adhesive patches (or paddles). The adhesive electrodes are the patches placed on the patient’s chest that deliver the electric shock.

5. Manual internal defibrillators (MID)

Manual internal defibrillators is type of internal defibrillators.

MID is delivers the shock through paddles directly on the heart.

MID in which electric current deliver directly to the exposed heart.

Used in operating room; open heart surgery.

6. Wearable cardiac defibrillators (WCD)

A wearable cardioverter defibrillator is external and  non-invasive rechargeable device worn the patients who is at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

This device continuously monitors and automatically detects abnormal heart rhythm caused by ventricular arrythmia and it sends an electric shock to the heart to restore normal heartbeat.