defibrillator
(de-fib″rĭ-la´tәr)
an apparatus used to produce defibrillation by application of brief electroshock to the heart, directly or through electrodes
placed on the chest wall.
automatic external defibrillator(AED)
a portable defibrillator designed to be automated such that it can be used by persons without substantial medical training
who are responding to a cardiac emergency.
automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator(AICD)
, implantable cardioverter-defibrillatorICD
an implantable device that detects sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation and terminates it by a shock or shocks delivered directly to the myocardium, thus preventing sudden cardiac death. Three
different types of electrodes may be used: a superior vena cava spring lead, a transvenous bipolar electrode, and a ventricular patch lead. One third of the patients who have had this device implanted have received spontaneous device
countershocks. Other reported side effects are similar to those of pacemakers.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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