Lead
A wire that conducts electrical current from the defibrillator to the heart. For AEDs, the lead is connected to electrode pads that attach to the patient.
Left Atrium
The upper left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle.
Left Ventricle
The lower left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps the blood through the aorta to the body.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction
A condition in which the left ventricle of the heart exhibits decreased functionality. This can lead to heart failure.
Long QT Syndrome
An inherited defect of the rhythm of the heart. The QT segment of the heart beat is slightly longer than normal, so the heart takes longer to recharge itself between beats. Symptoms may include sudden fainting spells, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Physical activity can make the symptoms occur, especially stop-and-go activity such as basketball. Sudden cardiac arrest can result from long AT syndrome.
Manual Defibrillator
An advanced life support medical device that monitors the heart rhythm and allow the user to manually set the energy delivery and deliver a shock. Users of manual defibrillators are professional responders such as an EMT, ER nurse, or cardiologist.
Monophasic Energy
Current from a defibrillator is delivered in a single path, from one electrode to another. Monophasic therapy was replaced by biphasic therapy in the 1990s after it was found that biphasic energy is safer and more effective.
Myocardial Infarction
The medical term for a heart attack. The blockage or occlusion of a coronary artery causing the loss of blood supply to the heart muscle.
Murmur
See heart murmur.
Normal Sinus Rhythm
A normal heart rate.
Pacemaker
An implantable medical device that sends electrical signals to the heart to set the heart rhythm.
Palpitation
Rapid, fluttering heart beats.Heart palpitations can be triggered by exercise, medications, or stress.
Right Ventricle
The lower right chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.