Electrodes are used to deliver the electrical shock to the patient. Electrode types include
reusable paddles and adhesive electrodes. External defibrillation is applied to the chest of
the patient with external electrodes or paddles. An internal paddle set is used when defibrillation
is delivered directly to the heart. Factors governing the set-up and performance
of a defibrillator include patient impedance, energy waveform shape, and electrode type
and placement.
Most defibrillators are designed with technology to monitor the patient’s ECG signal
and allow for synchronized cardioversion. Synchronized cardioversion is the delivery of
energy to the heart during ventricular depolarization, or upon the detection of the QRS