Defibrillators

Also known as Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Implantable Cardioverter

Defibrillator (ICD), Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD)

Defibrillators are devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric
pulse or shock to the heart. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, a
heartbeat that is uneven or that is too slow or too fast. Defibrillators can also
restore the heart’s beating if the heart suddenly stops.

Different types of defibrillators work in different ways. Automated external

defibrillators (AEDs), which are in many public spaces, were developed to save the
lives of people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Even untrained bystanders can
use these devices in an emergency.

Other defibrillators can prevent sudden death among people who have a high risk of
a life-threatening arrhythmia. They include implantable cardioverter defibrillators
(ICDs), which are surgically placed inside your body, and wearable cardioverter
defibrillators (WCDs), which rest on the body. It can take time and effort to get
used to living with a defibrillator, and it is important to be aware of possible risks
and complications.

How They Work- Defibrillators

There are three types of defibrillators: AEDs, ICDs, and WCDs. Each type works by
checking for arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms. Once detected, each
defibrillator will send a shock to restore a normal rhythm. Learn more about how
the three types of defibrillators work.

How do AEDs work?

- Defibrillators

An AED is a lightweight, battery-operated, portable device that checks the heart’s

rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. The device is
used to help people having sudden cardiac arrest.

Sticky pads with sensors, called electrodes, are attached to the chest of someone
who is having cardiac arrest. The electrodes send information about the person's
heart rhythm to a computer in the AED. The computer analyzes the heart rhythm to
find out whether an electric shock is needed. If needed, the electrodes deliver the
shock.

How do ICDs work?

- Defibrillators

ICDs are placed surgically in the chest or abdomen, where it checks for
arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can interrupt the flow of blood from your heart to the rest
of your body or cause your heart to stop. The ICD sends a shock to correct the
arrhythmia.

An ICD can give off a low-energy shock to speed up or slow down an abnormal
heart rate or a high-energy shock, which can correct a fast or irregular heartbeat. If
the low-energy shocks do not restore your normal heart rhythm, the device will
switch to high-energy shocks for defibrillation. The device also will switch to high-
energy shocks if your ventricles start to quiver rather than contract strongly. ICDs
are similar to pacemakers, but pacemakers deliver only low-energy electrical
shocks.

Comparison of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and a

pacemaker. The image compares an ICD with a pacemaker. Figure A shows the
location and general size of an ICD in the upper chest. The wires with electrodes on
the ends are inserted into the heart through a vein in the upper chest. Figure B
shows the location and general size of a pacemaker in the upper chest. The wires
 with electrodes on the ends are inserted into the heart through a vein in the upper
chest.

How do WCDs work?

- Defibrillators

WCDs have sensors that attach to the skin. They are connected by wires to a unit
that checks your heart’s rhythm and delivers shocks when needed. Like an ICD, the
WCD can deliver low- and high-energy shocks. The device has a belt attached to a
vest and is worn under your clothes. Your doctor will fit the device to your size. The
device is programmed to detect a particular heart rhythm.

The sensors detect when an arrhythmia occurs and notifies you with an alert. You
can turn off the alert to prevent a shock if not needed, but if you do not respond,
the device will administer a shock to correct the rhythm. Typically, this happens
within one minute. The device can deliver repeated shocks during an episode. After
each episode, the sensors must be replaced.

The device can also send a record of your heart’s activity to your doctors.

Who needs a WCD?

- Defibrillators

WCDs are used to protect against sudden cardiac arrest in certain circumstances,
such as if you are at risk of arrhythmia for just a short time. This might occur under
these conditions:

 You are recovering from a heart attack.

 You are waiting for a heart transplant.
 You are fighting an infection.
 You are removing or waiting to replace your ICD.

Who Needs Them?- Defibrillators

Defibrillators can be used in children, teens, and adults. AEDs are used to treat
sudden cardiac arrest. Your doctor may recommend an ICD or WCD to treat an
arrhythmia and prevent new or repeat sudden cardiac arrests.
 Who needs an AED?

- Defibrillators

AEDs can save the life of someone having sudden cardiac arrest, when the heart
suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.

AEDs can be used for adults, as well as for children as young as 1 year old. Some
devices have pads and cables designed especially for children.

Doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, on someone having sudden cardiac

arrest also can improve his or her chance of survival.

When to use an AED

- Defibrillators

A person whose heart stops from sudden cardiac arrest must get help within 10
minutes to survive. Fainting is usually the first sign of sudden cardiac arrest. If you
think someone may be in cardiac arrest, try the following steps:

 If you see a person faint or if you find a person already unconscious, first confirm
that the person cannot respond. The person may not move, or his or her
movements may look like a seizure.
 You can shout at or gently shake the person to make sure he or she is not sleeping,
but never shake an infant or young child. Instead, you can gently pinch the child to
try to wake him or her up.
 Check the person’s breathing and pulse. If the person is not breathing and has no
pulse or has an irregular heartbeat, prepare to use the AED as soon as possible.

 Where to find an AED

You often find AEDs in places with large numbers of people, such as shopping
malls, golf courses, gyms and swimming pools, businesses, airports, hotels, sports
venues, and schools. You can also purchase a home-use AED.

The AED is in a case about the size of a large first-aid kit. Many AEDs have a heart
logo in red or green. Large letters on the case or the wall where it is stored might
spell out A–E–D.
How do I use a defibrillator/AED?
You can use an AED with no training. The machine analyses someone’s heart rhythm and then
uses visual or voice prompts to guide you through each step.
• First, make sure someone has called for an ambulance, and, if an AED isn’t immediately
available, give CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until someone can bring you an AED.
• As soon as you’ve got an AED, switch it on. It will immediately start to give you a series of
visual and verbal prompts informing you of what you need to do. Follow these prompts until the
ambulance arrives or someone with more experience than you takes over.
• Take the pads out of the sealed pack. Remove or cut through any clothing and wipe away any
sweat from the chest
• Remove the backing paper and attach the pads to their chest
• Place the first pad on their upper right side, just below their collarbone as shown on the pad
• Then place the second pad on their left side, just below the armpit. Make sure you position the
pad lengthways, with the long side in line with the length of the their body
• Once you’ve done this, the AED will start checking the heart rhythm. Make sure that no-one is
touching the person. Continue to follow the voice and/or visual prompts that the machine gives
you until help arrives.

CHILD AED POSITION ADULT’S AED POSITION