SEMIAUTOMATIC DEFIBRILLATOR. UPDATE ON EXTRA-HOSPITAL USE AND LATEST TEACHING TRENDS

Abstract

Treatment for cardiopulmonary arrest with ventricular fibrillation (VF) is immediate witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation. The automatic or semi-automatic defibrillator (AED) is a portable device used to electrically stimulate a heart in VF by transmitting electric shocks through patches placed in the patient’s chest. This clinical note describes the device, how it works, and the importance of public access programs.