MEDTRONIC Lifepak 20

The LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor, when in AED mode, is a semiautomatic defibrillator that uses a patented Shock Advisory System™. This software algorithm analyzes the patient’s electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm and indicates whether or not it detects a shockable rhythm. The LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor in AED mode requires operator interaction to defibrillate the patient. The LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor in AED mode is intended for use by personnel who are authorized by a physician/medical director and have, at a minimum, the following skills and training: • CPR training. • AED training equivalent to that recommended by the American Heart Association. • Training in the use of the LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor in AED mode.

Indications

 The AED mode is to be used only on patients in cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient must be unconscious, pulseless, and not breathing normally before using the defibrillator to analyze the patient’s ECG rhythm. In AED mode, the LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor is not intended for use on pediatric patients less than 8 years old. Contraindications None known.

A direct current defibrillator applies a brief, intense pulse of electricity to the heart muscle. The LIFEPAK 20 defibrillator/monitor delivers this energy through disposable electrodes, standard paddles or internal paddles applied to the patient’s chest. Defibrillation is only one aspect of the medical care required to resuscitate a patient with a shockable ECG rhythm. Depending on the situation, other supportive measures may include: • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) • Administration of supplemental oxygen • Drug therapy Successful resuscitation is related to the length of time between the onset of a heart rhythm that does not circulate blood (ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia) and defibrillation.

The American Heart Association has identified the following as critical links in the chain of survival from cardiac arrest:

• Early access

• Early CPR by first responders or bystanders

• Early defibrillation

• Early advanced life support

The physiological state of the patient may affect the likelihood of successful defibrillation. Thus, failure to resuscitate a patient is not a reliable indicator of defibrillator performance. Patients will often exhibit a muscular response (such as jumping or twitching) during an energy transfer. The absence of such a response is not a reliable indicator of actual energy delivery or device performance. 

Indications

Defibrillation is a recognized means of terminating certain potentially fatal arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation and symptomatic ventricular tachycardia. Delivery of this energy in the synchronized mode is a method for treating atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and, in relatively stable patients, ventricular tachycardia. The biphasic defibrillation waveform used in this device has only been clinically tested on adults.