Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Glossary of Terms

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Automated external defibrillator: A device that automatically analyzes the heart rhythm an...

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Cardiac: Having to do with the heart.

Cardiopulmonary: Having to do with both the heart and lungs.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A life-saving emergency procedure that involves breathing f...

Cardiovascular: Relating to the circulatory system, which comprises the heart and blood ve...

Cardiovascular disease: Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Circulation: In medicine, the movement of fluid through the body in a regular or circuitou...

Commotio cordis: Sudden cardiac arrest from a blunt, nonpenetrating blow to the chest. The...

Congenital: A condition that is present at birth, whether or not it is inherited.

CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cuts: Severed skin. Washing a cut or scrape with soap and water and keeping it clean and d...

Defibrillation: The use of a carefully controlled electric shock, administered either thro...

Defibrillator: A device that corrects an abnormal heart rhythm by delivering electrical sh...

ECG: Electrocardiogram.

Essential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur...

Evolution: The continuing process of change.

Fibrillation: In cardiology, an abnormal and erratic twitching of the heart muscle.

Good Samaritan: Someone who voluntarily helps someone else who is in distress.

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart attack: The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of bloo...

Heart disease: Any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is ...

Life support: 1. A therapy or device designed to preserve someone's life when an es...

Nurse: 1) A person trained, licensed, or skilled in nursing. 2) To feed an infant at the ...

Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex...

Operating room: A facility that is equipped for performing surgery. Abbreviated OR.

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

Pediatric: Pertaining to children.

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Resuscitate: To restore to life. Derived from the Latin resuscitare, to reawaken.

Resuscitation: The procedure of restoring to life, as in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CP...

Samaritan: See Good Samaritan.

Shock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow...

Sudden cardiac arrest: A medical emergency with absent or inadequate contraction of the le...

Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

Ventricles: 1, The right ventricle and the left ventricle, the lower two chambers o...

Ventricular: Pertaining to the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, as in ventricu...

Ventricular fibrillation: An abnormal and irregular heart rhythm in which there are rapid ...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.