Ventricular Fibrillation and Use of Automated External Defibrillator
Based in Bernardsviile, New Jersey, Lisa Orazietti leads CPR Train Smart (DBA Lisa With Heart) and provides American Heart Association-accredited instruction. In addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Lisa Orazietti provides training in the proper use of automated external defibrillation (AED) equipment.
Of the 350,000 Americans who pass away each year from cardiovascular disease, approximately half die with minimal warning outside of a hospital, due to the heart stopping beating. This most commonly involves a heart rhythm disturbance known as ventricular fibrillation, which cuts the supply of blood off from vital organs such as the brain.
One way of treating this life threatening condition is through defibrillation, which entails an electric shock being applied to the chest. Within coronary care units patients typically survive ventricular fibrillation, due to the fact that defibrillation is performed using a defibrillator right after the heart attack.
Outside of a hospital setting, CPR is effective in providing temporary blood circulation and artificial breathing, and delivers a certain amount of oxygen and blood to the brain until a defibrillator arrives. However, CPR alone cannot resuscitate those who fall victim to ventricular fibrillation. This is why having AED equipment available, as well as those trained in using it, is essential in settings such as school athletic events where ventricular fibrillation would otherwise be fatal.
Of the 350,000 Americans who pass away each year from cardiovascular disease, approximately half die with minimal warning outside of a hospital, due to the heart stopping beating. This most commonly involves a heart rhythm disturbance known as ventricular fibrillation, which cuts the supply of blood off from vital organs such as the brain.
One way of treating this life threatening condition is through defibrillation, which entails an electric shock being applied to the chest. Within coronary care units patients typically survive ventricular fibrillation, due to the fact that defibrillation is performed using a defibrillator right after the heart attack.
Outside of a hospital setting, CPR is effective in providing temporary blood circulation and artificial breathing, and delivers a certain amount of oxygen and blood to the brain until a defibrillator arrives. However, CPR alone cannot resuscitate those who fall victim to ventricular fibrillation. This is why having AED equipment available, as well as those trained in using it, is essential in settings such as school athletic events where ventricular fibrillation would otherwise be fatal.
