Automatic Detection of Ventricular Fibrillation/Defibrillation

Abstract

The majority of sudden deaths are due to ventricular fibrillation and take place outside hospital usually in the home. The detection and correction of ventricular fibrillation by electrical countershock, at the earliest time after its onset is essential to ensure long-term survival. Thus, the need for an automatic defibrillator for use in such circumstances by spouses has encouraged the development of a system to distinguish cardiac arrest rhythms. Such a device should be easily applied to the patient and the operational instructions kept as simple as possible. The use of such small light-weight portable defibrillators with automatic detection of cardiac arrest rhythms outside the hospital, should enhance the early detection and correction of ventricular fibrillation and thus improve the patient’s chance of survival. We have evaluated a microprocessor based system which detects ventricular fibrillation and have determined its accuracy during the management of cardiac arrests (1–4).