cardioverterdefibrillátor

A cardioverter-defibrillator is a medical device used to treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. It functions by delivering an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. These devices can be external or implantable. External cardioverter-defibrillators are typically used in emergency situations by medical professionals to treat conditions like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. They consist of paddles or pads placed on the chest to deliver the shock. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, often abbreviated as ICDs, are surgically placed inside the body, usually under the collarbone. An ICD continuously monitors the heart's rhythm. If it detects a dangerously fast or irregular heartbeat, it can deliver a shock to correct it. ICDs can also perform a less intense therapy called cardioversion, which delivers a synchronized shock to reset the heart rhythm. The decision to use a cardioverter-defibrillator is made by a cardiologist based on a patient's medical history and risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.