Monophasic and Diphasic Defibrillators

There are problems associated with lead II ions although it seems to be less noisy as compared to lead I and lead III. Lead II may sometimes show a flat line although there is no rigor mortis and when the test is done with lead I and lead III a VF is witnessed. The reason for the flat display can be caused by VF being isoelectricor the black electrode of lead II can have some faults (Boyd & Ghosh, 2001).

Both monophasic and diphasic defibrillators have an efficacy that is similar in getting a sinus rhythm where it is at lower level of energy for biphasic waveforms. Monophasic is a type of shock which send electrical current only in one direction. Biphasic is a type of shock with a two directional current flow. It has higher accuracy and efficiency than monophasic and it is also easier to use. A diphasic shock waveform possesses a greater efficacy and needs lower energy of delivery and also requires fewer shocks. It results to less level of injury than a shock waveform of a monophasic (Higginsetal., 2000).The difference between diphasic and monophasic waveforms is that lower energy diphasic waveform shocks are equivalent to higher energy monophasic waveform. Diphasic defibrillators are a safer technology to use compared to monophasic defibrillators as they have ability to use different waveform technologies.

The electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation it is evident that when biphasic waveform shocks are used a lesser energy is required as compared to monophasic waveforms where more energy is required for the same efficacy. Diphasic are therefore more preferable to use than monophasic as they would also give room for technological advancement.