Which of the following rhythms can be defibrillated?

Defibrillation is a critical intervention used in the management of certain life-threatening arrhythmias, notably those that can lead to ineffective pumping of the heart and subsequently, cardiac arrest. One rhythm that is particularly amenable to defibrillation is pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

This arrhythmia is characterized by a rapid heart rate originating from the ventricles, which prevents the heart from filling effectively and results in an absence of palpable pulses. The primary goal of defibrillation in this case is to restore a normal heart rhythm by delivering an electrical shock that can interrupt the chaotic electrical activity allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to regain control. Successfully defibrillating pulseless ventricular tachycardia can lead to the restoration of an organized, effective rhythm and ultimately, pulses, which are critical for circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues.

In contrast, rhythms such as atrial flutter and stable sinus rhythm do not typically require defibrillation as they are usually less immediately life-threatening or can be managed through other means. Asystole, which is the absence of any electrical activity in the heart, cannot be defibrillated because there is no rhythm to interrupt; the primary approach in this case is cardiopulmonary resusc