5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.

sa 1
Defibrillation
5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 2

OBJECTIVE


1. Define defibrillation.
2. State the purpose of defibrillation.
3. Describe the mechanism of defibrillation.
4. Identify the equipment used in defibrillation and
its preparation
5. Demonstrates the procedure of defibrillation
6. Identify the precautions to be observe in
defibrillation.
7. Describe the complications associated with
defibrillation.
8. Describe the care after defibrillation

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 3
Defibrillation


Definition:
Defibrillation is a process in which an
electronic device sends an electric
shock to the heart to stop an
extremely rapid, irregular heartbeat,
and restore the normal heart
rhythm.

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 4
5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 5
Defibrillation
Purpose:
Defibrillation is performed to correct life-
threatening fibrillations of the heart,
which could result in cardiac arrest. It
should be performed immediately after
identifying that the patient is
experiencing a cardiac emergency, has
no pulse, and is unresponsive.

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 6
Defibrillation
Precautions:
1. Defibrillation should not be performed on a
patient who has a pulse or is alert, as this
could cause a lethal heart rhythm
disturbance or cardiac arrest.
2. The paddles used in the procedure should
not be placed on a woman's breasts or over
a pacemaker
5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 7
Defibrillation
Mechanism:
Fibrillations cause the heart to stop pumping
blood, leading to brain damage.
Defibrillators deliver a brief electric shock to
the heart, which enables the heart's natural
pacemaker to regain control and establish a
normal heart rhythm.

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 8
Defibrillation
Preparation:
After help is called for, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) is begun and continued until
the caregivers arrive and set up the defibrillator.
Electrocardiogram leads are attached to the patient's
chest.
Gel or paste is applied to the defibrillator paddles, or
two gel pads are placed on the patient's chest.
The caregivers verify lack of a pulse.
5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 9
Defibrillation
Care after defibrillation:
The patient's cardiac status, breathing, and vital
signs are monitored until he or she is stable.
An electrocardiogram and chest x ray are taken.
The patient's skin is cleansed to remove gel or
paste, and, if necessary, ointment is applied to
burns.
An intravenous line provides additional
medication, as needed.

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 10
Defibrillation
Complications:
Skin burns from the defibrillator
paddles are the most common
complication of defibrillation.
Other risks include injury to the
heart muscle, abnormal heart
rhythms, and blood clots.

5/9/2014 hqubeilat@ksu.edu.sa 11
Defibrillation
PROCEDURE FOR DEFIBRILLATION:
Provided by nursing staff that are certified
to perform defibrillation.
The success of resuscitation of patients
with ventricular fibrillation relates to how
fast electrical defibrillation can be applied.
The longer the duration of fibrillation, the
greater the deterioration of the
myocardium, because a fibrillating heart
consumes a very large amount of oxygen.