A device used to administer electrical shocks to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest wall or on the surface of the heart itself. It is used in the emergency management of cardiac dysrhythmias such as ventricular or supraventricular tachycardias. Changing the dysrhythmia to normal sinus rhythm is called cardioversion.
A contrivance designed to administer an electrical shock to the thorax serves the purpose of transforming an irregular heartbeat into a regular rhythm. This apparatus endeavors to restore the cardiac activity to its customary pattern, thus promoting a healthy and synchronized heartbeat.