LIFEPAK CR Plus Fully-Automatic Defibrillator (DG)

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The LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillators are automated external defibrillators

(AEDs). For many years, defibrillators have been used only by medical professionals to treat victims in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Today, the ability of defibrillators to save lives is so widely recognized that people once trained to do only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can now use defibrillators.

After electrode pads are applied to the victim’s chest, the defibrillator analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm.

If a shockable rhythm is detected, the defibrillator will either deliver an intense pulse of electricity (shock) to the heart muscle (fully automatic model) or direct the responder to deliver the shock (semiautomatic model). The defibrillator delivers shocks through the electrode pads on the victim’s chest.

When this pulse of electricity is delivered, it is called defibrillation. Defibrillation is recognized for treating

life-threatening heartbeat irregularities, such as ventricular fibrillation, that cause SCA.

The LIFEPAK CR Plus  defibrillators are designed specifically for infrequent

use and for use by people whose only training is in CPR and in using AEDs.

Indications for Use

The LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillators are indicated for use on patients in cardiac arrest. The patient must be unresponsive (unconscious), not breathing normally, and showing no signs of circulation (for example, no pulse, no coughing, or no movement).

The defibrillators may be used with standard defibrillation pads only on adults and children who are 8

years old or more, or who weigh more than 25 kg (55 lbs). The defibrillators may be used on children

who are less than 8 years old or weigh less than 25 kg (55 lbs) with Infant/Child Reduced Energy.

The American Heart Association estimates that, in the USA alone, at least 250,000 people die each

year of cardiac arrest. Of these, about 10,000 people might have been saved had they received

immediate treatment from a defibrillator.

Sudden cardiac arrest is usually caused by a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system. Called

ventricular fibrillation, this critical condition prevents the heart from pumping blood throughout the body.

Ventricular fibrillation can cause death within seconds.

Defibrillation is a relatively simple procedure that involves placing electrode pads on a victim’s exposed

chest and delivering an electrical shock to the heart. The externally-delivered shock often restores the

heart’s electrical system to normal rhythm. Combined with CPR, defibrillation provides the most

effective care for victims in cardiac arrest.