What are the dangers of a defibrillator?

There are three types of defibrillators: AEDs, ICDs, and WCDs.

Learn more about your heart’s electrical system at How the Heart Works .

How do AEDs work?

An AED is a lightweight, battery-operated, portable device that checks the heart’s rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. The device is used to help people having cardiac arrest .

Sticky pads with sensors, called electrodes, are attached to the chest of someone who is having cardiac arrest. The electrodes send information about the person's heart rhythm to a computer in the AED. The computer analyzes the heart rhythm to find out whether an electric shock is needed. If it is needed, the electrodes deliver the shock.

Image of a person using an automated external defibrillator on someone in cardiac arrest. The picture shows the AED machine, the pads with electrodes on the patient’s chest, and information about step-by-step instructions and voice prompts to help untrained bystanders to use the machine correctly.

How do ICDs work?

ICDs are placed through surgery in the chest or stomach area, where the device can check for arrhythmias . Arrhythmias can interrupt the flow of blood from your heart to the rest of your body or cause your heart to stop. The ICD sends a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.

An ICD can give off a low-energy shock that speeds up or slows down an abnormal heart rate, or a high-energy shock to correct a fast or irregular heartbeat. If low-energy shocks do not restore your normal heart rhythm, the device may switch to high-energy shocks for defibrillation.

ICDs are similar to pacemakers , but pacemakers deliver only low-energy electrical shocks. ICDs have a generator connected to wires that detect your heart’s beats and deliver a shock when needed. Some ICDs have wires that rest inside one or two chambers of the heart. Others do not have wires going into the heart chambers but instead rest on the heart to monitor its rhythm.

The ICD can also record the heart's electrical activity and heart rhythms. The recordings can help your healthcare provider fine-tune the programming of the device so it works better to correct irregular heartbeats. The device is programmed to respond to the type of arrhythmia you are most likely to have.

Comparison of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and a pacemaker. Image A shows the placement of an ICD. Image B (inset on the right) shows the size and placement of a pacemaker.

How do WCDs work?

WCDs have sensors that attach to the skin. They are connected by wires to a unit that checks your heart’s rhythm and delivers shocks when needed. Like an ICD, the WCD can deliver low- and high-energy shocks. The device has a belt attached to a vest that is worn under your clothes. Your provider fits the device to your size. It is programmed to detect a specific heart rhythm.

The sensors detect when an arrhythmia occurs and gives an alert. You can turn off the alert to prevent a shock if not needed. If you do not respond, the device will give your heart a shock to correct the rhythm. This usually happens within one minute. The device can deliver repeated shocks during an episode. After each episode, the sensors must be replaced.

The device can also send a record of your heart’s activity to your doctors.

What are the dangers of a defibrillator?

Risks

Infection at the implant site.
Swelling, bleeding or bruising.
Blood vessel damage from ICD leads.
Bleeding around the heart, which can be life-threatening.
Blood leaking through the heart valve (regurgitation) where the ICD lead is placed.
Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

Is California in danger?

No, California is not going to fall into the ocean. California is firmly planted on the top of the earth's crust in a location where it spans two tectonic plates. more

Are banks in danger?

Although S&P analysts expect banks' profitability to remain depressed in 2021 and the recovery to be slow, uncertain and geographically varied, they suggested that banks are overall in more robust shape to weather the storm than they were in 2009. more

What colour is danger?

red In daily life, red is commonly used to convey danger or danger-relevant concepts. Red is the prototypic colour of alarms, sirens, stop signals and warning signs that convey danger and the need for vigilant attention. more

Is Iraq in danger?

Country Summary: U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. sectarian militias threaten U.S. citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq. more

Is Japan in danger?

OVERALL RISK : LOW Generally, Japan is a very safe country to travel to, probably one of the safest. Still, never let your guard down, and be wary of pickpockets and scammers as you would in any other country. more

Are chow chows danger?

Chow Chow This dog has a very poor reputation and is considered to be a high risk pet. This is because between 1979 and 1998, there have been over 238 Chow Chow attacks. Of those attacks, 37 of the victims were children and 40 of them were fatal. more

Is Damascus in danger?

Endangering Factors-Damascus The City of Damascus is under threat by the Syrian civil war, and meets 5 of UNESCO's criteria, mostly on the basis of the city having rich cultural and historical importance. UNESCO aims to protect the major monuments such as the Umayyad Mosque, and other important religious structures. more

What color is danger?

Do puppies know danger?

In general, most dogs develop an understanding of heights as they begin to reach adulthood. Through trial and error, they begin to realize the difference between a dangerous jump (or fall) and a safe one, purposefully avoiding areas where they can risk injuring themselves. more

Are pensions in danger?

Across the United States, state and local government-sponsored pension plans are in trouble. They are dangerously underfunded to the extent that their assets are unable to meet future liabilities without either outsize investment returns or huge cash infusions. more

Source: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

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