ISSN:
1523-9829
Source:
Annual Reviews Electronic Back Volume Collection 1932-2001ff
Topics:
Technology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Ventricular fibrillation, a loss of synchronus electrical activity in the heart which leads to hemodynamic collapse, is a leading cause of death. Because of the devastating personal and societal effects of this phenomenon, the automatic cardioverter-defibrillator has been developed for automatic detection and termination of the arrhythmia and is in widespread clinical use. Advances in circuits, leads, waveforms, and signal processing along with increased knowledge of the mechanisms of fibrillation have led to continuing improvements in this device, extending its use to many patients. A device has also been developed for the automatic or semiautomatic treatment of atrial fibrillation, an arrhythmia less life-threatening than ventricular fibrillation, but still a serious health problem. Continued improvement of these devices and the development of qualitatively new approaches hold great promise for exciting therapeutic advances in this area.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.bioeng.1.1.331
