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DC Defibrillators: The Difference Between Selected and Delivered Energy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Stephen L. Shiner
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami School of Medicine and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Martin I. Gold
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami School of Medicine and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Abstract

There is controversy over the “ideal” electrical energy needed for defibrillation. Furthermore, too massive an electrical shock decreases the possibility of survival by direct damage to an already ailing myocardium and too little energy results in further deterioration of myocardial physiology and metabolism. Therefore, delivery of an erroneous amount of electrical energy decreases the likelihood of successful defibrillation and survival. All 190 defibrillators within 3 medical school hospitals were investigated. Each defibrillator was analyzed at four selected settings ranging from 100-400 Joules (J). Only 29 of 190 defibrillators delivered 100% of the energy selected, while 161 of the 190 (85%) delivered an average of 74% of the energy selected. This discrepancy between selected and delivered energy should be corrected by regulations and standards for manufacturers.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1987

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