Physio-Control LIFEPAK 1000 - Manual (Page 8)

Preface
vi LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator Operating Instructions
ABOUT DEFIBRILLATION
Defibrillation is a recognized means of terminating certain potentially fatal arrhythmias. A direct
current defibrillator applies a brief, high-energy pulse of electricity to the heart muscle. The
Physio-Control LIFEPAK
® 1000 defibrillator is an automated external defibrillator (AED) that
delivers this energy through disposable defibrillation electrodes applied to the patient's chest.
Defibrillation is only one aspect of the medical care required to resuscitate a patient with a
shockable ECG rhythm. Depending on the situation, other measures may include:
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Supplemental oxygen
• Drug therapy
It is recognized that successful resuscitation is related to the length of time between the onset of
a heart rhythm that does not circulate blood (ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular
tachycardia) and defibrillation. The American Heart Association has identified the following as
critical links in the chain of survival from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
• Early access
• Early CPR by first responders or bystanders
• Early defibrillation
• Early advanced life support
The physiological state of the patient may affect the likelihood of successful defibrillation. Thus,
failure to resuscitate a patient is not a reliable indicator of defibrillator performance. Often,
patients will exhibit a muscular response (such as jumping or twitching) during energy transfer.
The absence of such a response is not a reliable indicator of actual energy delivered or
defibrillator performance.
INDICATIONS FOR USE
Defibrillation
Defibrillation is a recognized means of terminating certain potentially fatal arrhythmias, such as
ventricular fibrillation and symptomatic ventricular tachycardia.
The defibrillator is to be used in AED mode only on patients who are in cardiopulmonary arrest.
The patient must be unresponsive, not breathing normally, and showing no signs of circulation.
The defibrillator may be used with standard defibrillation pads only on adults and children who
are 8 years old or more or who weigh more than 25 kg (55 lbs). The defibrillator may be used on
children who are less than 8 years old or weigh less than 25 kg (55 lbs) with Infant/Child
Reduced Energy Defibrillation Electrodes.
ECG Monitoring
ECG monitoring is for use on conscious and unconscious patients of all ages for the purpose of
ECG rhythm recognition and heart rate monitoring.