Confused Between Different Types of Defibrillators

A defibrillator (AED) machine is a device that sends electrical shocks to the heart. The purpose of using a defibrillator is to treat cardiac arrest. There are different types of defibrillators and this guide is for you if you are still not aware of them. They include the manual internal defibrillator, manual external defibrillator, wearable cardiac defibrillator, automated external defibrillator (AED), an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Manual Internal Defibrillator

Invented after 1959, the manual internal defibrillators send the electric shock using internal paddles directly to the heart. They are used on open chests, so they are only common in the operating room.

Manual External Defibrillator

Manual external defibrillators require more experience and training to use them. So, they are only common in hospitals and a few ambulances where capable hands are present in times of emergency. In conjunction with an ECG, the Doctor or trained person determines the cardiac rhythm and then he manually determines the voltage and timing of the shock.

Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator

The wearable cardiac defibrillator is a personal defibrillator worn by a patient who is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It monitors the patient’s heart and if the heart goes into a life-threatening arrhythmia, it delivers a shock treatment to restore the patient’s heart to a normal rhythm.

Automated External Defibrillator

They can be found in medical facilities and public places. They use computer technology, thereby making it easier to analyze the heart’s rhythm and to determine if the rhythm is shockable or not.