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Review
Ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation
  1. P Jones,
  2. N Lodé
  1. SMUR Pédiatrique, Réanimation Polyvalente (Paediatric Intensive Care), Hôpital Robert Debré APHP, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75935 Paris Cedex 19, France
  1. Peter Jones, SMUR Pédiatrique, Réanimation Polyvalente (Paediatric Intensive Care), Hôpital Robert Debré APHP, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75935 Paris Cedex 19, France; peter.jones{at}rdb.aphp.fr

Abstract

Cardiac arrest in children is not often due to a disturbance in rhythm that is amenable to electrical defibrillation, contrary to the situation in adults. When a shockable rhythm is present, defibrillation using an external electric shock applied at an early stage after pre-oxygenation and chest compressions is of proven efficacy. Success at conversion of ventricular fibrillation is dependent on the delay before delivering the shock and defibrillation efficiency, which is itself a function of thoracic impedance, energy dose and waveform.

https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2006.115618

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: None.

    • Abbreviations:
      AED
      automated external defibrillator
      CPR
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation
      ERC
      European Resuscitation Council
      ILCOR
      International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation
      ROSC
      return of spontaneous circulation
      VF
      ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia