Defibrillators - An Overview

How do defibrillators work?

A defibrillator is a medical device used to correct irregular heart beat patterns, otherwise known as cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart, characterized by irregular contractions. Many arrhythmias are often common and benign, most often described as feeling your heart skip a beat. Other arrhythmias, however, can interrupt the normal flow of blood, causing vital organs such as the brain to lose oxygen and suffocate. If left untreated, these arrhythmias can be deadly in very short periods of time. Defibrillators are most commonly used to treat two very dangerous types of arrhythmias: ventricular fibrillation, or 'V-fiB,' and ventricular tachycardia, or 'V-tach.'

Today, defibrillators can be portable units placed in ambulances, automated units placed in a public area, or even an implantable unit placed directly into a patient's body. No matter the style of defibrillator, the treatment remains the same. Applying a quick, high-voltage, direct-current charge to the patient's chest, allows a defibrillator to disrupt abnormal rhythms and prompt the heart to resume its normal rhythm. Despite the power of the shock that a defibrillator supplies, technological advances have created lower-energy shocks which are much less likely to cause internal damage and burns.

What are the risks associated with using a defibrillator?

Although defibrillators can save lives, defectively designed defibrillators can cause a great deal of damage and even lead to death. Studies show that defective Sprint Fidelis leads in Medtronic's implantable defibrillator are prone to fracture, causing the units to release powerful shocks at random. These shocks may cause intense pain, anxiety, and even death for people with implanted units.

If you or a loved one has been implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads, contact an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. A skilled attorney will be able to evaluate your case and provide you with the legal assistance you need to navigate the complex litigation process. The outcomes of using a defective Medtronic defibrillator may cause you to struggle financially, emotionally, and physically. There is no reason to face the hardships associated with defective products when your situation was caused by a poorly manufactured or defective product. Manufacturers are often found liable for injuries caused by their products and an experienced attorney will be able to help you organize the most effective lawsuit possible.

Automated External Defibrillators or AED's - The Shocking Truth

Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Sudden Death is the abrupt loss of consciousness, breathing and heartbeat. It kills over 325,000 Americans a year. That's more than breast cancer, colon cancer and motor vehicle accidents combined. The media frequently uses the more well-known term, massive heart attack, to describe the cause of death when, in actuality, a heart attack is only the death of a part of the heart muscle.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is caused by a heart attack or scaring from a previous heart attack. During cardiac arrest the pacemaker cells in the heart that normally cause the heart to contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern become disorganized and chaotic. This activity is called ventricular fibrillation; the heart is not beating but fibrillates or quivers like a jello mold shaken on a plate. Many victims develop symptoms only moments before their heart stops and some experience the cardiac arrest itself as the first, last and only indication of heart disease.

Sudden Death is potentially reversible but only if the victim receives Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and is shocked with a Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within a few minutes after collapsing. Performing CPR on a victim moves blood through the body, providing oxygen to the brain and heart, which can prolong the hearts electrical activity. An AED gives a shock of electricity through the heart causing it to contract and stop its erratic fibrillation. This allows the cells in the heart to reset back into a normal beat.

Time is the critical factor and can make the difference between life and death. In just four to six minutes permanent brain damage starts to occur and within ten minutes the heart is no longer fibrillating and has degraded to a condition called astoyle, commonly known as a flatline. Although Hollywood often portrays the successful resuscitation of people with a flatline EKG, this does not happen in the real world. Once there is no electrical activity in the heart, the victim's chances of survival are almost nonexistent.

There are several models of Automated External Defibrillators available and, although they have minor differences, all of them give instructions that are designed for use by a non-medical professional. The AED will determine if the victim needs a shock and will then guide you through the rescue with verbal cues, pictures or written text. Some models even coach users through the steps of CPR. Public access defibrillators are becoming more widespread and are seen in airports, malls, casinos, health cubs, restaurants, golf courses, public parks, churches and office buildings. More and more people are getting an AED for their home, RV or boat as well.

Reversal of sudden cardiac arrest is possible with immediate notification of emergency medical services (911) and the combination of CPR and defibrillation with an AED in the first few minutes after a victim collapses.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

While many people might be most familiar with the external defibrillators seen on TV, in emergency rooms or at sporting events, there are similar devices that, although less obvious in their use, serve the same purpose of restoring proper heart rhythms and thus averting possible death by cardiac arrest or heart attack. They are called implantable cardioverter defibrillators but are often referred to as pacemakers.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is a device designed for individuals with certain forms of heart disease of defects that put them at recurring risk of sustained ventricular fibrillation, or cardiac arrest. The device is implanted either within the chest itself, or more commonly today within the blood vessels thus eliminating the need for dangerous open chest surgery.

Once inside the body, an implantable defibrillator, or ICD, uses leads positioned near the heart to deliver electronic pulses or shocks when the device senses a cardiac rhythm that is out of sync. This arrhythmia or fibrillation can lead to cardiac arrest by constricting blood flow to the heart. The device can also, if necessary, stimulate a consistent pace or beat if the heart is unable to do so on its own.

Internal defibrillators are only used in cases where a patient has shown consistent, recurring risk of cardiac arrest or attack do to fibrillation. As with any invasive surgery, an ICD is not to be taken lightly, but they have been extraordinarily useful in preventing sudden deaths among patients who elect to have them implanted.

If you are wondering if you are a candidate for an ICD, contact your regular medical practitioner or heart specialist. Only they can determine whether you are in need of an internal defibrillator, but if you have been found to be at recurring risk for rhythm problems such as ventricular tachycardia (when the heart beats at a dangerously fast pace) or ventricular fibrillation (when the heartbeat is both fast and irregular), an ICD may be a viable option.

Patients who have ICDs implanted often say that the delivery of pacing therapy by the device is a painless experience. Most do not experience discomfort or pain, while some may feel a mild fluttering in the chest. If cardioversion therapy is needed, a mild shock is sent that is said to resemble a thump in the chest. The defibrillator shock, sent to resolve cardiac fibrillation or irregular pacing, is the heaviest jolt and is often said to resemble a swift kick in the chest. There may be some discomfort but the sensation typically only lasts a few moments.

Once you have an internal defibrillator implanted, certain lifestyle adjustments will be necessary. Like after any surgery, your doctor will advise you to limit any strenuous or stressful activities for a certain period of time. But in most cases, you can return to a normal routine after a few short weeks. Though, patients will need to be aware of any machines capable of interfering with the ICD's operation. Devices with strong magnetic fields are of particular concern.

Though doctors will always be hopeful to avoid major invasive surgery such as the implantation of an ICD, implantable cardioverter defibrillators have allowed thousands of heart patients to live out long and productive lives despite a recurring cardiac condition or disease. Recent advances have made the device smaller, more effective and often unnoticeable to both the patient and the public. Consult your physician for more information about whether an ICD is right for you.

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