What it means
A strong, unsynchronized shock delivered through pads on the chest. It is used in cardiac arrest from ventricular fibrillationven-TRIK-yuh-ler fib-ruh-LAY-shunA heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.ventricul/o ventricle-ar relating tofibrill small fiber, twitching-ation processFull entry or pulseless ventricular tachycardiaven-TRIK-yuh-ler tak-ih-KAR-dee-uhA fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.ventricul/o ventricletachy- fastcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry . The shock stops all electrical activity for a moment so the SA nodeES-AY NOHDSinoatrial node: a small cluster of cells in the right atrium that starts each heartbeat.sin/o sinusatri/o atriumFull entry can restart a normal beat. It does not work for asystole (flat line). An automated external defibrillatorAW-tuh-may-tid ek-STER-nul dee-FIB-ruh-lay-terA portable device that checks the heart rhythm through pads on the chest and gives an electric shock if one is needed.Full entry lets anyone deliver it.
For the nurse
Make sure no one is touching the client or bed ("all clear") before the shock, and restart chest compressions right after it.
At a glance
| Spanish | desfibrilación |
|---|---|
| Also written | defibrillate, defibrillated |
Easy to confuse with
cardioversion
Changing an abnormal fast heart rhythm back to normal with a timed electric shock or with drugs.
Related terms
ventricular fibrillation
A heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.
automated external defibrillator
A portable device that checks the heart rhythm through pads on the chest and gives an electric shock if one is needed.
cardiac arrest
The sudden stop of the heart's pumping, so blood no longer reaches the brain and body.
cardioversion
Changing an abnormal fast heart rhythm back to normal with a timed electric shock or with drugs.