Defibrillators
- Article
- 2021-02-03
Different types of defibrillators work in different ways. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are used in many public areas, are designed to save the lives of people in sudden cardiac arrest. Even untrained bystanders can use these devices in an emergency.
Other defibrillators can prevent sudden death in people who are at high risk for a life-threatening arrhythmia. They include implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which are surgically placed in your body, and portable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs), which rest on the body. It can take time and effort to get used to living with a defibrillator, and it is important to be aware of potential risks and complications.
How do they work?
There are three types of defibrillators: AEDs, ICDs and WCDs. Each type works by checking for arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. Once detected, each defibrillator will send a shock to restore a normal rhythm. Learn more about how the three types of defibrillators work.
Understanding how the heart works can also help.
How do AEDs work?
An AED is a lightweight, battery-operated, portable device that monitors the heart rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. The device is used to help people in sudden cardiac arrest.
Adhesive pads with sensors, called electrodes, are attached to the chest of someone in cardiac arrest. The electrodes send information about the person's heart rhythm to a computer in the AED. The computer analyzes the heart rhythm to see if an electric shock is needed. If necessary, the electrodes deliver the shock.
How do ICDs work?
ICDs are surgically placed in the chest or abdomen, where it checks for arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can interrupt the flow of blood from your heart to the rest of your body or cause your heart to stop. The ICD sends a shock to correct the arrhythmia.
An ICD can deliver a low-energy shock to speed up or slow an abnormal heartbeat, or a high-energy shock, which can correct a fast or irregular heartbeat. If the low-energy shocks do not restore your normal heart rhythm, the defibrillation device switches to high-energy shocks. The device also switches to high-energy shocks if your ventricles begin to vibrate instead of contracting strongly. ICDs are similar to pacemakers, but pacemakers only deliver energy-efficient electric shocks.
ICDs have a generator connected to wires to sense your heart's pulses and deliver a shock if necessary. Some models have wires that rest in one or two chambers of the heart. Others do not have threads threaded into the heart chambers, but rest on the heart to follow the rhythm.
The ICD can also record the electrical activity and heart rhythms of the heart. The recordings can help your doctor fine-tune the programming of your device so that it works better to correct irregular heartbeat. Your device will be programmed to respond to the type of arrhythmia you are most likely to have.
How do WCDs work?
WCDs have sensors that attach to the skin. They are connected by wires to a unit that monitors the rhythm of your heart and delivers shocks when necessary. Like an ICD, the WCD can deliver low and high energy shocks. The device has a belt that is attached to a vest and is worn under your clothes. Your doctor will adjust the device to your size. The device is programmed to detect a specific heart rhythm.
The sensors detect when an arrhythmia occurs and alert you with a warning. You can turn off the alert to avoid a shock if it is not needed, but if you don't respond, satl Shock the device to correct the rhythm. Usually this happens within a minute. The device can deliver repeated shocks during an episode. The sensors must be replaced after each delivery.
The device can also send a record of your heart's activity to your doctors.
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