Final answer:
Defibrillation, often required during cardiac emergencies like ventricular fibrillation, can be electrical, mechanical, or chemical, with electrical being most common. An AED delivers a shock to restore heart rhythm and is designed for layperson use, often preceded by CPR.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question is focused on the methods of defibrillation, which is a critical emergency procedure used to treat life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmiasthat include ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Defibrillation can be achieved through three different approaches: electrical, mechanical, and chemical. However, electrical defibrillation is the most commonly used method. In this process, a defibrillator delivers a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart. The energy is stored in a capacitor and can be adjusted according to the patient's needs.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a type of defibrillator commonly found in many public places, designed to be used even by those without medical training. The device provides verbal instructions and automates the delivery of the shock after evaluating the heart's rhythm through an electrocardiogram. When a person is experiencing a cardiac emergency such as ventricular fibrillation, using a defibrillator is vital, as it can terminate the arrhythmia and allow the natural pacemaker to resume a normal rhythm, potentially saving the patient's life.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is recommended before using an AED in many cases. It's important to note that while AEDs are capable of diagnosing and treating certain types of arrhythmias, they are specifically designed to treat ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, as these conditions are critical and can lead to brain death if not addressed promptly.