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 occupy a special group.
What is a defibrillator?
A defibrillator is a medical device for defibrillation. It can terminate cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or palpitations, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter by delivering targeted electrical shocks. Click to enlarge. A defibrillator is a device that can affect the rhythm of the heart. Another synonym for these devices is the shock generator. This name is based on the objective, which can be realized with the defibrillator. When using a defibrillator, the goal is to deliver an electrical impulse in the form of an electric shock. The defibrillator can be used in varying designs and sizes. In this regard, there are defibrillators that are extremely miniaturized, and there are defibrillators that are used as handy portable suitcase devices.
Shapes, types and types
Over time, in unity with the existing medical need, various types of defibrillators are 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 quite different electronic devices. Nevertheless, the small defibrillators, which are extremely similar to a pacemaker, can also be fixed under the skin in the body. Some variants of defibrillators are designed to be implanted into the heart muscle, as it were, depending on their shape and nature. In very rare cases, it happens that the electrodes cannot be led directly to the heart through the draining veins. In these special situations, cardiologists can use cardiac surgery to “sew” the implantable defibrillator electrons directly onto the outside of the heart muscle.
Design, function, and mode of action
Defibrillation is a treatment method for various heart conditions in which strong electrical shocks are used to restore healthy heart activity. Due to their design, modern defibrillators are capable of delivering both electric shock fields (defibrillation fields) and electric pulses. The function of defibrillators is therefore two-sided. In terms of their basic design, defibrillators and pacemakers are similar, which usually leads medical laypersons to equate the two systems. The heart of the defibrillator, tiny electrical circuits, is encased in a housing made of a metal that is well tolerated by the body, titanium. Their energy supply is provided by a miniature rechargeable battery. All components enclosed in the defibrillator housing are connected to electrodes that are inserted into the diseased areas of the heart. As a rule, one electrode is located in the right atrium, the other is inserted into 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, which is located outside the patient’s body. The function of the defibrillator is based on stopping the onset of ventricular fibrillation by delivering targeted electrical pulses to the heart muscle. If the heart is overexcited, a so-called stimulating effect is implemented. This helps the heart to move again in a “healthy working cycle” with a defibrillator. Defibrillators can be based on an automated mode of operation.
Medical and health benefits
The defibrillator helps ensure that people with a massive heart problem survive ventricular fibrillation and do not succumb to sudden cardiac death. Defibrillator implantation is indicated when female or male patients suffer from heart disease, which can result in life-threatening ventricular fibrillation or flutter, atrial fibrillation or flutter. The cardioverter is considered not only a prophylactic but also a therapeutic medical device. The defibrillator is used to perform 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 has to be implanted. In addition, a defibrillator may be important if the diagnosis indicates ventricular tachycardia, in which no pulse can be measured due to the absence of a heartbeat. Cardioverters, or defibrillators, are being used in increasing numbers as the incidence of heart disease continues to rise. Even young people may have a defibrillator. Treatment with a defibrillator is equally useful if the suspicion of a risk factor of heart attack or “zero line” poisoning is confirmed. In addition, a defibrillator can be life-saving if the healthy heart rhythm is absent or out of sync due to exposure to strong electrical current.
