Final answer:
The primary goal in treating an unstable arrhythmia is to return the heart to a normal rhythm, either through the application of an electrical shock from devices like AEDs or pacemakers, or through medications designed to control heart rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Principle of Treating Unstable Arrhythmia
The key principle of treating an unstable arrhythmia is to restore a normal heart rhythm and ensure the effective pumping of blood by the heart. In emergency situations, an automated external defibrillator (AED) can deliver a shock to correct abnormal heart rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation, effectively 'rebooting' the heart.
For chronic arrhythmias, treatments include medications like beta blockers and antiarrhythmic agents, medical procedures such as the implantation of a pacemaker, and in severe cases, cardioversion or defibrillation using controlled electric shocks.
Pacemakers and defibrillators can provide temporary or continuous electrical impulses to regulate the heart's rhythm, while medications aim to stabilize the heart rate and prevent complications from arrhythmias.