Definition of Defibrillation

Defibrillation

Defibrillation is the delivery of a controlled electric shock to the heart to stop a life-threatening, disorganized rhythm and allow the heart's natural pacemaker to re-establish a coordinated, effective heartbeat. It is the definitive treatment for certain forms of cardiac arrest.

Defibrillation works only on "shockable" rhythms — ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia — and is not effective for asystole or pulseless electrical activity, which are treated with CPR and medication. Shocks can be delivered by a public-access AED or by a manual defibrillator used by trained providers. The shock is integrated with high-quality chest compressions, which resume immediately afterward.

Speed is critical: survival falls with every minute of delay. CPR Certification Labs trains both AED and manual defibrillation skills in its hands-on, AHA-aligned BLS and ACLS courses.

Medical Definition & Meaning

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Comprehensive CPR Training for Adults, Children, and Infants

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