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| Typical Number in Hospital: 10 | Cost Bands: 4 | References: 3,4,6 |
Since defibrillators are intended to restart the heart, an electrocardiograph is normally required to confirm faulty action of the heart and to demonstrate return to normal action after the treatment has been applied. Thus, many modern defibrillators have a cardioscope (and/or cardiograph) built into them so that the diagnosis, the treatment, and the confirmation of success (or otherwise), can be made. These units are linked so that the cardioscope is not disabled by the defibrillator pulse. Also it is common for the ECG signal to be picked up through the defibrillator 'paddles' when they are applied to the chest.
A completely separate reason for linking a defibrillator and cardioscope is for synchronized defibrillation (sometimes called cardioversion).
On some units an ECG recorder (writer) may be included.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details