Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Defibrillators

Cardiac electrical stimulators that apply brief high-voltage electroshocks to the HEART. These stimulators are used to restore normal rhythm and contractile function in hearts of patients who are experiencing VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION or ventricular tachycardia (TACHYCARDIA, VENTRICULAR) that is not accompanied by a palpable PULSE. Some defibrillators may also be used to correct certain noncritical dysrhythmias (called synchronized defibrillation or CARDIOVERSION), using relatively low-level discharges synchronized to the patient's ECG waveform. (UMDNS, 2003)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Cardiac electrical stimulators that apply brief high-voltage electroshocks to the HEART. These stimulators are used to restore normal rhythm and contractile function in hearts of patients who are experiencing VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION or ventricular tachycardia (TACHYCARDIA, VENTRICULAR) that is not accompanied by a palpable PULSE. Some defibrillators may also be used to correct certain noncritical dysrhythmias (called synchronized defibrillation or CARDIOVERSION), using relatively low-level discharges synchronized to the patient's ECG waveform. (UMDNS, 2003)

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Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Electric Shock Cardiac Stimulators
  • Stimulators, Electrical, Cardiac, Shock
  • Defibrillator
  • Automated External Defibrillators
  • Defibrillators, External
  • Automated External Defibrillator
  • Defibrillator, Automated External
  • Defibrillator, External
  • Defibrillators, Automated External
  • External Defibrillator
  • External Defibrillator, Automated
  • External Defibrillators
  • External Defibrillators, Automated

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14 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, classification, economics, ethics, history, microbiology, parasitology, psychology, standards, statistics & numerical data, supply & distribution, trends, veterinary, virology.

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History Note

2005

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Previous Indexing

  • Electric Countershock (1967-2004)

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Tree Number

  1. E07w.305w.250w.159w

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NLM Classification

WG 26

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Defibrillators. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D047548. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D047548
  2. Defibrillators. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defibrillator
  3. Defibrillators. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1450682