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Defibrillators

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Definition: 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)     
See Also Electric Countershock
Examples Defibrillators, Implantable
Other names External Defibrillators, Automated; External Defibrillators; External Defibrillator, Automated; External Defibrillator; Defibrillators, Automated External; Defibrillator, External; Defibrillator, Automated External; Defibrillator; Automated External Defibrillator; Stimulators, Electrical, Cardiac, Shock; Electric Shock Cardiac Stimulators; Defibrillators, External; Automated External Defibrillators

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Sources: NLM Medical Subject Headings, NIH UMLS, Drugs@FDA, FDA AERS original data copyright United States Government. No endorsement implied. Last modified 6/6/2012

Warning: the drugs or drug combinations referred to here may be similar or related, but are not be the same ones and may not have the same pharmacological action as other substances described on the same page or in the same row. Please refer to product monograph or to your doctor
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