Medical Device
defibrillator Audio
de·fib·ril·la·tor [ dee-fahy-bruh-ley-ter, -fib-ruh- ]
Subclass of:
electrode
Definitions related to defibrillators:
  • A device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. Used to treat cardiac arrest and other dangerous heart rhythm problems.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Cardiac electrical stimulators that apply brief high-voltage electroshocks to the HEART. These stimulators are used to restore normal rhythm and contractile function in hearts of patients who are experiencing VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION or ventricular tachycardia (TACHYCARDIA, VENTRICULAR) that is not accompanied by a palpable PULSE. Some defibrillators may also be used to correct certain noncritical dysrhythmias (called synchronized defibrillation or CARDIOVERSION), using relatively low-level discharges synchronized to the patient's ECG waveform. (UMDNS, 2003)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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