An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It's a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
2. Howto usean AED
1. Turn onAED
2. Placepads on victim
3. Analyze the heartrhythm
4. Shockif prompted
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3. 1. Turnonthe AED
Follow the voice and / or visual commands
AED’s canbe turned on with either:-
• Abutton
• ORBY
• Opening clear face plate
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4. 2. Exposechest
• Removeany medication patches
• Make sure chest is clean anddry
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5. 3. To AttachPads
• First:
• Removepadsfrom packet
• Removebacking, one at atime, from pads,
then
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6. 3a. Attach Pads
1. Onepad goeson the upper rightchest
below collarbone.
2. Onepad goeson lower left side chestwall.
7. 4. Plugin Connector
• If necessary plug in
pad connector to unit.
• There is aflashing light
beside the slot.
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8. 5. StayClear
• Make sure nobody , including yourself,is
touching the victim.
Say“Everyonestandclear!”
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9. 6a. Analyzethe Rhythm
• Once the pads are in place theAED
will “analyze” the heartrhythm.
• SomeAEDsrequire abutton to
be pressedto analyze.
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10. 6b. AnalyzetheRhythm
• There are 4 electrical rhythmsthat the heart
canbe in when the heart stopsbeating.
• Only 2 of these rhythms areshockable.
• If “shockadvised”,shock victim and startCPR
• Theother 2 are nonshockable.
• If “No shockadvised” then startCPR
21. 7. Deliver Shock
If AEDPrompts aShock
• Make sure no oneis
touching victim
• Pushthe “shock”button
• (someAEDswill shockautomatically)
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22. 8. After Shock
• Donot turn offAED….
• It is now safeto touch Padsand patient
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23. 9. Perform CPR
• After shock, or if no shockisadvised,
continue CPR.
• Every2 minutes follow the AEDprompts
• Stop CPRif you seesigns of life
– (breathing, movement.)
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25. 11a. AEDandChildren
• AEDscanbe used on children asyoung as
newborns
• SomeAEDshavechild pads
• Usechild pads if child is youngerthan 8and
lessthan 55 lbs
• If no child pads ,adult pads may beused
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26. 11b. AEDandChildren
PadPlacement in Children
• Follow manufacturer directions
• Onepad goesin center of chest and 2nd pad
goeson center of victim’s upperback
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27. 12. AEDandWetPerson
• Dry off victims chest (and back if achildunder
age8.)
• Attach pads following manufacturer directions
• Therest of the victim does not need to be dry.
• AEDscanbe used on wet surfaces and snow
solong aspatient is dryand not in apuddle of
water.
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28. 13. AEDandHairyChest
• AEDmay not stick to victim with hairychest.
• SomeAEDsahave arazor in the kit
• ShaveONL
Ythe area of chest that padswill attachto
• Wipe off hair and attachpads
• If no razor present attach pads
to chest and seeif AEDwill work
• If AEDdoesnot work continue CPR
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29. 14. AEDandpacemaker
• Pacemakersare located under the collarbone
on right or left side of chest
• If located on right side placeAEDpad 1inch
below pacemaker
• Continue with AEDprompts
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30. 15. AEDandBras
• Many bras contain metal (Clips,underwire)
• Remove / cut bra if AED
pads will touch themetal
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31. 16. AEDandJewelry
• Ignore jewelry if it will not touchAEDpad
• If in the way pushjewelry to sideofneck
away from AEDpads.
• Donot wastetime
removingjewelry
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With polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, the QRS waves will not be symmetrical. This is because each ventricular impulse can be generated from a different location. On the rhythm strip, the QRS might be somewhat taller or wider.
Torsade de pointes is an uncommon and distinctive form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) characterized by a gradual change in the amplitude and twisting of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line (see the image below). Torsade de pointes, often referred to as torsade, is associated with a prolonged QT interval, which may be congenital or acquired. Torsade usually terminates spontaneously but frequently recurs and may degenerate into ventricular fibrillation.
ECG Findings
Chaotic irregular deflections of varying amplitude
No identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves
Rate 150 to 500 per minute
Amplitude decreases with duration (coarse VF -> fine VF)
