Defibrillation is often an important step in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is an algorithm-based intervention aimed to restore cardiac and pulmonary function. Defibrillation is indicated only in certain types of cardiac dysrhythmias, specifically ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Defibrillation is an emergency treatment for ventricular fibrillation and other life-threatening arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats). A heart in ventricular fibrillation stops pumping blood to the brain and body. It will cause cardiac arrest and death within a few minutes if not treated immediately.

Defibrillation is the use of an electrical current to help your heart return to a normal rhythm when a potentially fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) is happening in your heart’s lower chambers (ventricles).

Defibrillation is a shock-based treatment for life-threatening arrhythmias when a patient does not have a pulse. These could include ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). It’s done when someone is in cardiac arrest.

A defibrillator can save your life if you’re in cardiac arrest. This device provides an electrical charge that stops your heart’s abnormal rhythm so your heart can get back to a normal rhythm. Even with defibrillation, cardiac arrest is fatal for many people. It’s not unusual for survivors to require multiple types of therapy to recover.