Just to clarify your post because there is enough confusion as it is. Atrial fibrillation is not a rhythm we defibrillate. While it can be dangerous it is not a deadly rhythm but could definitely deteriorate into one if there is unchecked rapid ventricular response. Even then we don’t defib afib, we cardiovert it or use medical management. Underneath the mess there is an intrinsic heart beat you don’t want to disturb. If you defib afib you will likely cause more harm than good
The only rhythms we defibrillate are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless vtach.
We do not use any electricity for asystole or pulseless electrical activity.
We cardiovert afib and supraventricular tachycardia.
Shock is a term used loosely but I wanted to further clarify so people won’t run around shaking their fist that no one is defibrillating their afib.
Just to clarify your post because there is enough confusion as it is. Atrial fibrillation is not a rhythm we defibrillate. While it can be dangerous it is not a deadly rhythm but could definitely deteriorate into one if there is unchecked rapid ventricular response. Even then we don’t defib afib, we cardiovert it or use medical management. Underneath the mess there is an intrinsic heart beat you don’t want to disturb. If you defib afib you will likely cause more harm than good
The only rhythms we defibrillate are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless vtach.
We do not use any electricity for asystole or pulseless electrical activity.
We cardiovert afib and supraventricular tachycardia.
Shock is a term used loosely but I wanted to further clarify so people won’t run around shaking their fist that no one is defibrillating their afib.
Source: also nurse