ZOLL PD 1400 Operator's Manual page 38

Synchronized Cardioversion
WARNINGS Before proceeding, CAREFULLY read the following:
Synchronized cardioversion should only be attempted by skilled personnel
trained i n advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and familiar with equipment
operation. The precise cardiac arrhythmia must be determined before
attempting defibrillation.
Do not touch the bed, patient, or any equipment connected t o the patient
during defibrillation.
All persons i n attendance of the patient must be warned t o "STAND CLEAR"
prior t o defibrillator discharge.
GENERAL
Certain arrhythmias, such as Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), atrial fibrillation, and atrial
INFORMATION
flutter, require synchronizing the defibrillator discharge with the ECG R-wave to
prevent the induction of ventricular fibrillation. In this case, a synchronizing (SYNC)
circuit within the instrument detects the patient's R-waves. When the discharge
buttons are pressed and held, the unit will discharge with the next detected R-
wave, thus avoiding the vulnerable T-wave segment of the cardiac cycle.
During SYNC, the ZOLL PD places a marker pulse on the ECG as it appears on the
monitor to indicate the point in the cardiac cycle where discharge will occur. This
marker pulse appears as an intensified "dot" or "line" on the ECG waveform. For
documentation, a
(1)
marker also designates this discharge point above the
waveform on the ECG recorder strip.
The cardioversion procedure is identical for either paddles or multi-function
electrodes. The ECG lead selected message will change from "PADDLES to
"ELECTRODES" when using multi-function electrodes and the paddle charge and
discharge buttons are not available.
PROCEDURE SELECT MONITOR ON
Connect ECG leads.