Today our topic of discussion is Cardiac Defibrillation.
Cardiac Defibrillation
Cardiac Defibrillation
Cardiac defibrillation is the act of administering a transthoracic electrical current to a person experiencing one of the two lethal ventricular dysrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Under Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines, pulseless VT and VF are treated the same. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in both sexes. About half of these sudden deaths occur in the pre-hospital setting; of these, almost three-quarters happen in the home, and half of these are unwitnessed.
In the adult patient, VF is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest. The definitive treatment for VF is to perform electrical defibrillation. When defibrillation is delayed, effectiveness is reduced by almost 10% per minute. This activity reviews the use of defibrillation and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating and treating patients using this technique.
Defibrillators are devices that apply an electric charge or current to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. If the heart rhythm stops due to cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a defibrillator may help it start beating again.
Post-defibrillation Care
- Assess patient responsiveness/sensorium.
- Check airway, breathing and circulation
- Monitor cardiac rhythm continuously and assess vital signs including
- BP half hourly until stable
- Maintain oxygenation
- Detect arrhythmias and side effects of drugs used during emergency
- Provide comfort and psychological support to patient and family
- Administer analgesic as ordered if patient experiences pain over defibrillation site
- Document joules, number of shocks and response of patient
- If defibrillation is unsuccessful, explain situation to family with the help of doctor.
Equipment
- Fibrillator unit
- Oxygen and suction source
- Emergency resuscitation equipment such as Ambu bag and mask, articles for endotracheal intubation
- Oxygen face mask, conduction jelly
- Tissue papers roll or rag pieces.
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