automatic external defibrillator


defibrillator

 [de-fib´rĭ-la″ter] 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-defibrillator (ICD)) an implantable device that detects tachycardia" >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.

automatic external defibrillator

Smart defibrillator Cardiology A device designed to monitor the heart's electric activity and, if ventricular fibrillation is identified, deliver an electric shock. See Defibrillator, Ventricular fibrillation.

au·to·mat·ic ex·ter·nal de·fib·ril·la·tor

(AED) (aw'tō-mat'ik eks-tĕr'năl dē-fib'ri-lā-tŏr) Device used to administer electric shock to arrest fibrillation of the atria or ventricles and restore normal heart rhythm; can be used by technicians without medical training.

au·to·mat·ic ex·ter·nal de·fib·ril·la·tor

(AED) (aw'tō-mat'ik eks-tĕr'năl dē-fib'ri-lā-tŏr) Device used to administer electric shock to arrest fibrillation of the atria or ventricles and restore normal heart rhythm; can be used by technicians without medical training.