Portable Defibrillators

Would you get a portable defibrillator if you needed one? Many people still don't own one of these life saving machines because they feel they're too expensive, too complicated, or they just aren't sure it would help.

These automated, portable defibrillators take much of the risk associated with their use by regular people. Most importantly, they come with the ability to assess whether or not the patient in question even needs an electric current, and if he or she does, it pre-determines the wattage or power level. A person cannot override the determination of the computer, so the potential for misuse is minimal.

Additionally, most people assume that portable defibrillators are for old people or those with weight problems who have serious heart issues. They can also be used on children. A surprising number of children suffer from various heart related illnesses each year, and AEDs can be used to save those who are suffering from atrial fibrillation. These are great units to have in your local school.

The Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator (AED) got great reviews on Amazon.com. Professionals and newcomers alike thought it had a lot of easy to use features.

Wikipedia has this information on AEDs:

An AED is called external because the operator applies the electrode pads to the bare chest of the victim, unlike internal defibrillators, which have electrodes surgically implanted inside the body of a patient.

Once the pads are attached to the patient, the AED diagnoses the heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed to treat fibrillation. If the device determines that a shock is necessary, it will charge in preparation to deliver the shock. When charged, the device instructs the user to ensure no one is touching the victim and then to press a button to deliver the shock. After the shock is delivered, the device again monitors the heart rhythm of the victim to determine if another shock is necessary.

In some cases, after an AED has been used, its 'event memory' is downloaded and analyzed by the installing organisation. This memory stores the ECG of the patient and carries details of the time the unit was activated and the number and strength of any shocks delivered. From the ECG, it is possible to see the effectiveness of both CPR and defibrillation on the patients heart. A successful defibrillation, in the UK, is one that causes VF to be converted to another rhythm, even if this rhythm is unshockable. In other cases, such as in older AEDs or in models which do not support cards, rhythm strips are printed which contain the shocked rhythms, a summary of the code, and the status of the machine.

There are two main types of AEDs on the market today: semi-automatic and fully-automatic. Semi-automatic AEDs prompt the user to stand clear and then to push a shock button to defibrillate. Fully-automatic units sound a stand clear voice prompt and then deliver the shock automatically without the user having to push a button.

In recent years, two sub-types of AEDs have become available. Monophasic and Biphasic technologies. Older defibrilators used a monophasic electrical waveform, which utilized a high joule energy, up to 360 to 400, depending on the model. This caused increased cardiac injury and in some cases second and third degree burns around the shock pad sites. Newer AEDs (Manufactured after late 2003) feature what is known as a Biphasic waveform. These are designed to utilize a lower-energy shock of 120 - 200 joules, and shock twice insted of once per cycle, once from the chest pad, and once from the rib or back pad. This lower energy waveform has proven more effective in clinical testing, as well offers a reduced rate of complications and reduced recovery time.