Defibrillator

Various medical devices play a central role in the therapy of heart diseases and at the same time in the context of life-saving measures. In this context, the so-called Defibrillators a.

What is a defibrillator?

A defibrillator is a medical device used for defibrillation. It can end cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or palpitations, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter through targeted electrical surges. Click to enlarge.

A Defibrillator is a device that can influence the rhythm of the heart. Another synonym for these devices is the shock transmitter.

This designation is based on the objective that can be achieved with the defibrillator. When using a defibrillator, it is important to deliver an electrical impulse in the form of an electric shock.

The defibrillator can be used in various designs and sizes. In this context, there are defibrillators that are extremely miniaturized, and there are defibrillators that are used as handy, portable case devices.

Shapes, types & types

In the course of time, in unity with the existing medical need, various types of construction are on Defibrillators in practical use. These are offered as manual, automated external defibrillators or AEDs, implantable cardioverter shock generators and so-called defibrillator vests.

Defibrillators are known to most people as implantable pacemakers or pacemakers. However, both are very different electronic tools. Nevertheless, even the small defibrillators, which are extremely similar to a pacemaker, can be fixed under the skin in the body. Some variants of the defibrillators are designed for implantation in the heart muscle, depending on their shape and nature.

In very rare cases it happens that the electrodes cannot be guided directly to the heart via the draining veins. In these special situations, the cardiologists can surgically "sew" the electrons of the implantable defibrillator directly onto the outside of the heart muscle.

Structure, function & mode of operation

Defibrillation is a treatment method for various heart problems in which a healthy heart activity is to be restored by means of strong electrical surges.

The modern ones Defibrillators Due to their design, they are able to emit both electrical shock fields (defibrillation fields) and electrical impulses. The function of the defibrillators is therefore two-sided.

In terms of the basic structure, the defibrillators and the pacemakers are similar, which usually leads to an equality of both systems for medical laypersons. The heart of the defibrillator, tiny electrical circuits, are encased in a housing made of a well-tolerated metal, titanium. A mini battery takes over your energy supply.

All components enclosed in the defibrillator housing are connected to electrodes that are inserted into the diseased areas of the heart. Usually one electrode is placed in the right atrium and the other is placed in the right ventricle of the heart. The electrical pulses and all functionally important information for the defibrillator are programmed via a transmission system for data that is located outside the patient's body.

The function of the defibrillator is based on stopping an incipient ventricular fibrillation through the targeted delivery of electrical impulses to the heart muscle. If the heart is over-excited, a so-called stimulating effect is implemented. This helps to ensure that the heart with a defibrillator moves back to its "healthy work cycle". The defibrillators can be based on an automated mode of operation.

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Medical & health benefits

Of the Defibrillator helps people with a massive heart problem survive ventricular fibrillation and not succumb to sudden cardiac death. The implantation of defibrillators is indicated if female or male patients suffer from cardiac diseases which, as a result, can trigger life-threatening ventricular fibrillation or flutter, atrial fibrillation or flutter.

The cardioverter is not only considered a prophylactic and at the same time therapeutically useful medical device. The defibrillator is used in order to be able to carry out a resuscitation (reanimation) in an emergency and for first aid. Disturbances of the heart rhythm as ventricular or atrial fibrillation are the main reasons why a defibrillator must be implanted. A defibrillator can also be important if the diagnosis suggests ventricular tachycardia, in which a pulse cannot be measured due to the lack of a heartbeat.

Cardioverters or defibrillators are being used more and more because the number of heart diseases is increasing. Even young people may have a defibrillator. Treatment with a defibrillator is equally useful if the suspicion of a risk factor heart attack or poisoning is confirmed with a "zero line". In addition, a defibrillator can save lives if the healthy heart rhythm is missing or out of step due to the action of strong electrical currents.