Defibrillation for VF or VT can be delivered using which methods?

Defibrillation for VF or VT can be delivered using which methods?

• A. External or Internal
• B. Oral defibrillation
• C. Vagal stimulation
• D. Pacing

Answer: (A)

Defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia works by delivering a high-energy electrical shock to reset the heart’s electrical activity so a normal rhythm can resume. This can be done from outside the chest with external defibrillators (pads or paddles) or from inside the heart with internal defibrillation systems, such as transvenous or epicardial leads or an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. Oral defibrillation isn’t feasible because energy cannot be delivered to the heart in a controlled, effective way through the mouth. Vagal stimulation and pacing don’t terminate malignant ventricular rhythms like VF or VT—vagal maneuvers affect heart rate management but don’t reset a chaotic ventricular rhythm, and pacing alone doesn’t deliver the necessary shock unless it’s accompanied by a defibrillation shock.

Defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia works by delivering a high-energy electrical shock to reset the heart’s electrical activity so a normal rhythm can resume. This can be done from outside the chest with external defibrillators (pads or paddles) or from inside the heart with internal defibrillation systems, such as transvenous or epicardial leads or an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator.

Oral defibrillation isn’t feasible because energy cannot be delivered to the heart in a controlled, effective way through the mouth. Vagal stimulation and pacing don’t terminate malignant ventricular rhythms like VF or VT—vagal maneuvers affect heart rate management but don’t reset a chaotic ventricular rhythm, and pacing alone doesn’t deliver the necessary shock unless it’s accompanied by a defibrillation shock.