Pediatric Defibrillators
Pediatric Defibrillators
Pediatric defibrillators are specialized medical devices designed to deliver controlled electrical shocks to restore normal heart rhythm in children experiencing life-threatening arrhythmias.
Key Points
- Age-specific energy settings
- Specialized pediatric pads/paddles
- Built-in safety features
- Initial energy: 2-4 J/kg
- Subsequent shocks: 4 J/kg
Types of Defibrillators
- Manual Defibrillators
- Operator-controlled energy settings
- Requires trained medical personnel
- Complete rhythm analysis control
- Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- Pediatric-capable with key/switch
- Automated rhythm analysis
- Voice/visual prompts
- Biphasic vs. Monophasic
- Biphasic preferred in pediatrics
- Lower energy requirements
- Reduced myocardial damage
Technical Specifications
Hardware Components
- Energy Delivery System
- Capacitor charging system
- Energy selection controls
- Discharge circuitry
- Monitoring System
- ECG display
- Rhythm analysis software
- Data storage capabilities
- Interface Components
- Pediatric paddles/pads
- ECG leads
- Control panel
Energy Specifications
- Biphasic Energy Range
- Minimum: 1-10 joules
- Maximum: 150-200 joules
- Pediatric settings: 2-4 J/kg
- Charge Time
- Less than 3 seconds to 50J
- Less than 5 seconds to maximum energy
- Waveform Characteristics
- Impedance compensation
- Current control
- Phase duration optimization
Usage Protocol
Pre-Defibrillation Steps
- Patient Assessment
- Confirm cardiac arrest/arrhythmia
- Check responsiveness
- Verify absence of pulse
- Equipment Preparation
- Select appropriate pads/paddles
- Apply conductive gel if needed
- Set correct energy level
- Pad Placement
- Anterior-lateral position preferred
- Ensure good skin contact
- Avoid placing over bony prominences
Defibrillation Procedure
- Energy Selection
- First shock: 2-4 J/kg
- Subsequent shocks: 4 J/kg
- Maximum: 10 J/kg or adult dose
- Safety Measures
- Clear patient contact
- Announce "Clear"
- Visual verification
- Post-Shock Care
- Immediate CPR resumption
- Rhythm assessment
- Vital signs monitoring
Safety Guidelines
General Safety
- Environmental Safety
- Remove oxygen sources
- Clear conductive surfaces
- Ensure dry conditions
- Personnel Safety
- Proper glove usage
- Clear communication
- Maintain safe distances
- Equipment Safety
- Regular maintenance checks
- Battery management
- Pad expiration monitoring
Special Considerations
- Wet Patients
- Dry chest before pad placement
- Move from wet surfaces
- Use extra precautions
- Implanted Devices
- Avoid placing pads over devices
- Maintain minimum distance
- Document device presence
Clinical Applications
Indications
- Primary Indications
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- Refractory arrhythmias
- Secondary Uses
- Synchronized cardioversion
- Post-resuscitation monitoring
- Temporary pacing capability
Age-Specific Considerations
- Neonates
- Lower initial energy settings
- Specialized pad placement
- Careful impedance monitoring
- Infants and Toddlers
- Weight-based calculations
- Smaller pad sizes
- Modified placement options
- Older Children
- Transitional energy settings
- Adult pad consideration
- Standard placement possible
