Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical treatment to stop fibrillation of heart muscles: Defibrillation is a procedure that uses an electric shock to stop chaotic, irregular heartbeats (fibrillation) and restore a normal heart rhythm. It is typically performed using a device called a defibrillator.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The paramedics performed emergency defibrillation on the patient.
  • Rapid defibrillation is critical for survival after cardiac arrest.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo defibrillation": to receive the treatment.
  • The patient had to undergo defibrillation twice before a stable rhythm was restored.

Variants and Related Words

• Defibrillate (verb): to perform defibrillation.
  • The doctor had to defibrillate the patient's heart.
• Defibrillator (noun): the device used to administer the electric shock.
  • The hospital installed a new automated external defibrillator (AED) in the lobby.

Synonyms

• Cardioversion: A broader medical term for procedures that restore a normal heart rhythm, which can include electrical cardioversion (a controlled form of defibrillation) or chemical cardioversion using medication.

Related Phrases

• Automated External Defibrillation (AED): The use of a portable defibrillator designed for use by laypersons or first responders.
  • Public access to AEDs has improved survival rates.

Noun

1. treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles (usually by electric shock delivered by a defibrillator)