All about the cardiac defibrillator

The cardiac defibrillator is essential first aid equipment for resuscitating victims of cardiac arrest while waiting for the arrival of the ambulance or the fire brigade. Although generally easy to use, its handling requires specific knowledge within the reach of everyone. Find out all there is to know about this medical device.

The cardiac defibrillator: what is it?

A cardiac defibrillator is a medical device whose role is to send an electric current at a controlled intensity into the heart of a victim of cardiac arrest or arrhythmia. This procedure is used to restore the heartbeat to a normal rate while waiting for the arrival of first aid and greatly increases the chances of survival if done correctly and on time.

The cardiac defibrillator: what is it like?

First of all, it is important to note that there are two categories of cardiac defibrillator:

• The automated external cardiac defibrillator or AED.
• The implantable automated cardiac defibrillator or ICD.

We are concerned here with the AED, which is the first aid equipment. It is generally made up of the following elements:

• An electric block whose role is to produce the electric current necessary for cardiac stimulation.
• Two electrodes, which will be placed on the victim’s thorax so that his or her heart receives the electric shock.
• A loudspeaker to guide the user or warn him of actions performed by the device.

The cardiac defibrillator: how does it work?

When the electrodes are placed correctly and the device is turned on, the defibrillator first analyzes the electrical activity of the myocardium to determine if intervention is necessary. If so, the next step depends on the nature of the device:

• For a fully automatic defibrillator: the device delivers the electric current without your intervention, but warns you before the shock.
• For a semi-automatic defibrillator: you must activate cardiac stimulation using a dedicated button.

The device then tells you if the shock delivered was sufficient to restore the victim’s heart rate. If this is not the case, cardiac massage should be performed and the stimulation repeated after a few minutes.

What are the precautions to take when using a cardiac defibrillator?

First, make sure that the victim’s body is completely dry before placing the electrodes and turning on the device. Also, stay away from the device when it is in use so as not to distort the diagnosis during the analysis and to avoid receiving electrical currents during stimulation.

It is also advisable to take training in emergency first aid to know how to handle a cardiac defibrillator correctly and to know what to do before, during, and after the procedure.

Conclusion

Cardiac defibrillation optimizes the chances of survival of a victim of cardiac arrest if the procedure is performed on time. Anyone can use this first aid device – even children – however, proper first aid training is essential to know how to handle it properly.

It should be noted, however, that cardiac stimulation does not guarantee survival and that it is always necessary to call an ambulance, even if it has resuscitated the patient.