Defibrillators

Defibrillators Buyer’s Guide

Automated External Defibrillators: One of the most convenient methods of treating an irregular heart rhythm is as automated external defibrillator. This special type of external defibrillator is also referred to as an AED. One of the reasons as to why this particular form of external defibrillator has been able to help so many people is because it is a portable machine, which has made it an especially useful machine to have around for emergency medical personnel, enabling them to deliver life saving help on the scene away from a professional medical facility.

These special portable electronic devices feature the ability to automatically diagnose the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient or individual in the field. The reason why this particular device is able to save lives is because it provides the ability to treat people through defibrillation.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Among the most valued medical devices to enter the medical industry are implantable cardioverter defibrillators. These are also referred to as ICD’s in the fast paced medical world. These extremely helpful items feature a small battery powered electrical impulse generator—it’s actually quite surprising at how much of an electrical impulse these very small medical devices can deliver!

The device is most often implanted in patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death. (The most common cause behind the cases where sudden cardiac arrest is present and where these devices are used is usually due to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia versus a genetic heart condition).

The way that these implantable cardioverter defibrillators or ICD’s work is that the device is programmed ahead of time to detect cardiac arrhythmia, which is also known as an abnormal sinus rhythm or heart beat. When the implanted cardioverter defibrillator or ICD detects this abnormal heart beat, both too fast and too slow are dangerous, it then sends a jolt of electricity to the heart to help it return to a very normal and healthy rhythm. While this sounds like it would be a dangerous thing to do, it is actually very safe and the electrical currents delivered to the heart are done so under a very, very controlled manner. In current variants, the ability to revert ventricular fibrillation has been extended to include both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias as well as the ability to perform biventricular pacing in patients with congestive heart failure or bradycardia.

Medtronic Defibrillators: One of the leading options for defibrillators today are Medtronic defibrillators. Medtronic carries one of the most trusted names in the medical technology field so you regardless of whether you are a medical professional or a home practitioner, you can look forward to a medical product that you can truly count on.

Related Information

Defibrillator History
Learn a little about defibrillator history to see how far we have come.

Choosing an AED
Use your doctor’s aid when choosing an AED.





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