Final answer:
Prolonged VF or Pulseless VT refers to a critical emergency where the heart beats erratically (VF) or without pulse (VT), requiring immediate defibrillation with an external automated defibrillator (EAD) to prevent brain death and to attempt to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged VF/Pulseless VT
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) are types of ventricular arrhythmias that are critical conditions and can be fatal. During VF, the heart beats in an erratic and uncontrolled manner, preventing it from pumping blood effectively. Pulseless VT is a severe form of ventricular tachycardia without a detectable pulse, which also indicates the heart is not pumping blood properly. External automated defibrillators (EADs) are essential in treating these conditions by delivering an electric shock to the heart, attempting to reset the heart's rhythm to a normal sinus rhythm. If not treated urgently with defibrillation, VF can lead to brain death in a matter of minutes.
Treatment with Defibrillators
The application of an electrical shock is used to defibrillate the heart, either by automated external defibrillators (EADs) in public settings or by medical professionals in a hospital. These shocks are designed to stop the heart momentarily, erasing the chaotic electrical patterns to allow the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node to reinitiate a normal conduction cycle. Following a successful defibrillation shock, the heartbeat and respiratory function may return to normal.