Defibrillator

Electronic device that is used to administer an electric shock to the heart in order to reestablish normal heart rhythm

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) :is a computerized defibrillator which will analyze the victim’s heart rhythm and if ventricular fibrillation or certain other heart rhythms are present, will instruct the user to deliver an electric shock. The AED provides on-going voice prompts to the operator. An AED will not allow the user to deliver a shock unless the heart is in a rhythm that requires a defibrillating shock.. An AED is a stand alone highly portable electronic device which can be used with any patient suffering cardiac arrest. The Philips HeartStart defibrillator range of defibrillators available from Home Heart Care ltd are all “AEDs”

implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a small, battery operated defibrillator similar in design to a pacemaker that is surgically implanted under the skin, near the left collarbone. It monitors the heartbeat, detects arrhythmias, and sends electrical charges to the heart to restore the correct, natural rhythm. Because they correct heart rhythms that are too fast, the electrical impulses they generate are usually stronger than those generated by a pacemaker. More Information

Manual Defibrillator

A defibrillator where the operator uses an ECG display and their own knowledge and experience to analyze the patients heart rhythm and decide if a defibrillation shock is required. The operator also selects the energy dose to deliver to the patient. Use of a manual defibrillator requires more training than an AED and is normally restricted to trained doctors or other specialist medical personnel. Example

Automatic Defibrillator

A defibrillator that uses software to analyze a patients heart rhythm to determine if a defibrillating shock is required or not. May also adjust energy levels and waveform parameters based on information automatically gathered through the defibrillation pads attached to the patient. A FULLY AUTOMATIC defibrillator will then automatically deliver a shock to the patient if required. A SEMI AUTOMATIC defibrillator will ask the operator to press the shock button. Automatic defibrillators only allow a shock to be delivered to the patient if the analyzed heart rhythm indicates that a shock is required.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

(Electrocardiogram). Graph showing heart's electrical activity. may be printed on a paper strip or displayed on an electronic screen. A recording of the electrical impulses from the heart and plays an essential role in the diagnosis and investigation of heart disease, arrhythmia and monitoring of heart rhythm. EXAMPLE

Heart Rhythm

The primary function of the heart is to supply blood and nutrients to the body. The regular beating, or contraction, of the heart moves the blood throughout the body. Each heartbeat is controlled by electrical impulses traveling through the heart (Measured by the ECG, see above). In the normal heart these electrical impulses occur in regular intervals which is a “normal heart rhythm”. When something goes wrong with the heart’s electrical system, the heart does not beat regularly. The irregular beating results in an “abnormal heart rhythm “ A normal heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. There are many different types of abnormal heart rhythm only a few of which are potentially fatal and are suitable for treatment by a defibrillator. EXAMPLE

Arrhythmia

Medical definition of an abnormal heart rhythm of any type. There are many different types of arrhythmia. More Information

Ventricular Fibrillation or “VF”

Very dangerous abnormal heart rhythm. The heart is quivering or beating in an uncoordinated manner and is unable to pump blood around the body. Patients with Ventricular Fibrillation (also known as VF) are unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Maximum survival time for a patient in untreated VF is normally 5 to 10 minutes. Defibrillation is the only treatment for VF EXAMPLE

Cardiac arrest or Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cessation of the effective pumping action of the heart. During a cardiac arrest, the heart may be beating rapidly without pumping any blood, it may be in VF (see above) or it may stop beating completely (Asystole, see below). Cardiac arrest is marked by an abrupt loss of consciousness and absence of breathing or pulse. Cardiac arrest usually results in death in a few minutes if not treated. Cardiac Arrest is normally treated by defibrillation but not all forms of cardiac arrest will respond to a defibrillating shock More information

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle becomes suddenly blocked. Symptoms are usually severe and sudden in onset. They may include fullness, discomfort or squeezing in the chest area radiating to the arms, throat , neck or jaw, followed by nausea and sweating. A Heart Attack may trigger Sudden Cardiac Arrest but this does always occur.

Myocardial Infarction or “MI”

Correct medical terminology for the event also known as a "heart attack", a myocardial infarction refers to changes that occur in the heart muscle due to an interruption in its blood supply. An MI is often the result of a clot that lodges in a coronary artery, resulting in deprivation of oxygen to a portion of the heart muscle (ischemia), and ultimately the death (necrosis) of a portion of the heart muscle, if the oxygen supply is not restored within a few minutes. May trigger cardiac arrest.

Asystole

An absence of electromechanical activity within the heart. Appears on the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor as a straight or 'flat line'. This rhythm cannot be shocked by a defibrillator.