Defibrillators - Some Interesting Facts About It November 14th, 2008

    What exactly are defibrillators? It is a machine which is used to give a shock to the heart so that it goes back into a normal rhythm after an increase in the heartbeat owing to certain conditions like ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Both these illnesses are acute and it makes a person lose his consciousness.

    In this condition the heart beat stops and little blood is pumped into the body. Immediately the individual suffers a cardiac arrest. Some years back, only hospitals could use a defibrillator and doctors were the only people who could operate this device. Nevertheless, at present you will find fully automatic external defibrillators (AED) that are used in urgent situations and cases where a qualified health professional is not present.

    But it is vital that you should be trained in order to make use of a defibrillator since there is some danger to the individual controlling this piece of medical equipment and people around him. If anybody touches the body of the patient at the same time when the shock is given, then it can be very dangerous.

    There are many health risks associated with this. The patient’s skin may get burnt due to the use of electrodes. Irregular heart rhythms are also common. Blood clots are also formed in certain cases. If you see that the patient has a heart beat, regardless of how weak it is, a defibrillator must never be applied. Also avoid its use when the patient is near other people who are touching his body.

    We have seen ventricular fibrillation mentioned before. But what is it? It is a serious problem wherein the usual electrical action of the heart goes out of order. In this state, the heart contract quickly and in an uneven fashion. Consequently the ventricles do not pound. Instead they quiver and this results in heart pumping very little blood.

    When a person faces this condition, he requires medical help without delay. Otherwise he will collapse and sudden death will happen within some minutes. In such a scenario, the defibrillators come into play. This several times used medical equipment helps to give shock to the heart and consequently the heart starts to beat with a normal rhythm. A good place to find used medical equipment is Absolute Medical Equipment. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find the defibrillator that is right for you.


Leave a Comment