
8 EN-US
Overview
activity of the heart. VT starts in the bottom
chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. Although
there are many different types of VT, this arrhythmia
can be potentially life-threatening if the patient
presents with no pulse and is unresponsive. If not
treated with immediate defibrillation VT may lead to
other arrhythmias.
Treatment by AED
It is a common misconception that CPR alone and
calling emergency services is enough. CPR is a
temporary measure that maintains blood flow and
oxygen to the brain. CPR alone will not return a
heart to a normal rhythm during VF or VT. The key to
survival is defibrillation – and the sooner the better.
Defibrillation is a common treatment for
life-threatening arrhythmias, mainly ventricular
fibrillation. Defibrillation consists of delivering an
electrical shock to the heart with a device called
a defibrillator. This restores normal heart muscle
contractions and allows normal sinus rhythm to be
restored by the body’s natural pacemaker in
the heart.
HeartSine samaritan PAD uses HeartSine samaritan
ECG arrhythmia analysis algorithm. This algorithm
will evaluate the patient’s ECG to ascertain if
a therapeutic shock is appropriate. If a shock is
required, HeartSine samaritan PAD will charge and
advise the user to press the shock button. If no shock
is advised, the device will pause to allow the user to
deliver CPR.
It is important to note that cardiac defibrillators, like
HeartSine samaritan PAD, will not administer a shock
unless a lifesaving shock is required.
Sudden cardiac arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which
the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively
due to a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system.
Often victims of SCA have no prior warning signs
or symptoms. SCA also can occur in people with
previously diagnosed heart conditions. Survival
from SCA depends on immediate and effective
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The use of an external defibrillator within the first
few minutes of a collapse can greatly improve a
patient’s chance of survival.
Heart attack and SCA are not the same, though
sometimes a heart attack can lead to an SCA. If you
are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack (chest
pain, pressure, shortness of breath, tight feeling in
the chest or elsewhere in the body), immediately seek
medical attention.
Sinus rhythm and ventricular fibrillation
The normal heart rhythm, known as sinus rhythm,
creates electrical activity resulting in coordinated
contraction of the heart muscle. This generates
normal blood flow around the body.
Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF) is a condition
in which there is uncoordinated contraction of
the heart muscle, making it quiver rather than
contract properly. Ventricular fibrillation is the most
commonly identified arrhythmia in SCA patients. In
victims of SCA it is possible to re-establish normal
sinus rhythm by means of an electric shock across the
heart. This treatment is called defibrillation.
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of tachycardia
(rapid heartbeat) that arises from improper electrical