Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Adverse design of defibrillators: turning off the machine when trying to shock
Christian S Høyer1, Erika F Christensen, Berit Eika
1Unit for Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
A recent publication demonstrated the possibility of erroneous operation of 2 widely used monitor-defibrillators and observed that the design of user interfaces might contribute to error during operation. During an ambulance simulation training exercise for 72 junior internal medicine physicians that called for defibrillation in the management of cardiac arrest, we observed that in 5 of 192 defibrillation attempts by the physicians, the monitor-defibrillator was inadvertently powered off. When the device is inadvertently powered off, recognition and subsequent steps to defibrillate delayed defibrillation an average of 24 seconds (range 14 to 32 seconds). Our analysis of the controls of this monitor-defibrillator found that the device could be powered off even if fully charged and ready to shock. Redesign of the equipment might prevent this inadvertent event.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Reclosers and Fuses
A comprehensive protection scheme for radial distribution...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
