Defibrillator — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: A device used to correct a dangerously abnormal heart rhythm, usually ventricular fibrillation, by delivering brief measured electrical shocks to the chest wall or heart muscle.

Key Facts

• Delivers unsynchronized shock for lethal shockable rhythms, primarily VF and pulseless VT.
• Goal is to depolarize critical mass myocardium and allow organized rhythm re-emergence.
• Defibrillation is time-sensitive and integrated with high-quality CPR.

ECG Connection: Used when telemetry shows shockable arrest rhythms rather than organized perfusing rhythms.

Why It Matters: Rapid recognition of shockable patterns shortens time to defibrillation and improves outcomes.