MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Post-cardiac defibrillation

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Post-cardiac defibrillation

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Alternative names Return to top

Cardiac defibrillation; Cardioversion

Definition Return to top

Fibrillation is when electrical signals in the heart are disorganized and the heart cannot contract properly, causing the circulatory system to shut down. Defibrillation is an emergency procedure that restores the normal electrical activity of the heart by applying an electric shock to the chest.

Post-cardiac defibrillation is the state that exists after an individual has received cardiac defibrillation.

Update Date: 4/30/2004

Updated by: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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