What Is The Difference Between A Defibrillator Used In The Emergency Room And An Implanted Defibrillator?

— -- Question: What is the difference between a defibrillator used in the emergency room and a defibrillator that is surgically implanted in a patient?

Answer: Well, the defibrillator that is used in the emergency room, or by the paramedics, or an automatic external defibrillator are used for trans-thoracic or trans-chest shock. One lead is placed here, another lead is placed here -- so the current goes through the heart to defibrillate someone who has cardiac arrest.

An implanted defibrillator is very much like a pacemaker, except it's a little larger. It's referred to as a pacemaker plus. And what it does is monitors the patient's rhythm, and if they fibrillate, shocks them right back into regular rhythm.

Next: Do All People Who Have Had A Heart Attack Need An Implanted Defibrillator?

Previous: What Is A Defibrillator And How Is It Used In The Emergency Room?