Restore the normal heart rate by applying an electric shock. There are external (on the skin) and implantable (definitive), the latter is only indicated for some specific situations.

What is defibrillation?

Defibrillation is based on the abrupt and brief application of a high voltage electric current to stop and reverse the rapid cardiac arrhythmias (sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation); situations in which the number of heartbeats increases excessively or a disorganized electrical activity occurs, because some area or focus of the heart ‘triggers’ impulses in an uncontrolled manner, which are not effective or produce a hemodynamic instability (deterioration of the vital signs) that can lead a person to a cardiac arrest. The electric shock stops the arrhythmia, which allows the doctor to identify and solve the causes that produced it.