Defibrillation may be performed for which rhythm?

Defibrillation may be performed for which rhythm?

• A. Atrial Fibrillation
• B. Ventricular Fibrillation
• C. Torsades de Pointes
• D. Asystole

Answer: (B)

Defibrillation is used for shockable rhythms—rhythms in which there is chaotic electrical activity and little to no effective cardiac output. Ventricular Fibrillation fits this scenario: the ventricles quiver, there’s no organized contraction, and there is typically no pulse. A rapid unsynchronized shock can reset the electrical activity and allow a return to a usable rhythm. Atrial Fibrillation is an atrial rhythm and is not treated with defibrillation as a first-line approach; unstable AF may require synchronized cardioversion, not the unsynchronized shock used for VF. Asystole is a straight line with no electrical activity and is non-shockable—treatment is CPR and medications. Torsades de Pointes can be shockable if the patient is pulseless, but the classic rhythm for immediate defibrillation is ventricular fibrillation.

Defibrillation is used for shockable rhythms—rhythms in which there is chaotic electrical activity and little to no effective cardiac output. Ventricular Fibrillation fits this scenario: the ventricles quiver, there’s no organized contraction, and there is typically no pulse. A rapid unsynchronized shock can reset the electrical activity and allow a return to a usable rhythm.

Atrial Fibrillation is an atrial rhythm and is not treated with defibrillation as a first-line approach; unstable AF may require synchronized cardioversion, not the unsynchronized shock used for VF. Asystole is a straight line with no electrical activity and is non-shockable—treatment is CPR and medications. Torsades de Pointes can be shockable if the patient is pulseless, but the classic rhythm for immediate defibrillation is ventricular fibrillation.