Introduction

In certain diseases, the heart enters a disorganised electrical state called fibrillation. The heart does not beat and the patient will die without immediate treatment. One method of treating fibrillation is to deliver a high voltage electric shock called defibrillation.

The electronic device used to deliver defibrillation is called a defibrillator. Defibrillators are part of the emergency equipment in hospitals and are carried by Intensive Care Ambulances and operated by Paramedic doctors. Portable defibrillators are approximately the size of a briefcase.

Implantable Defibrillators

These devices are the size of a candy bar and implanted in your body. These devices automatically detect fibrillation and deliver a life-saving electric shock.