Biotronik ICD charges for up to 20 seconds before delivering a shock; what occurs at the end of this period?

Biotronik ICD charges for up to 20 seconds before delivering a shock; what occurs at the end of this period?

• A. 20 seconds; Rescue shock delivers the energy on the caps
• B. 15 seconds; The device enters standby
• C. 25 seconds; ATP is triggered
• D. 10 seconds; The device emits a warning beep

Answer: (A)

When an ICD detects a life-threatening ventricular rhythm, it first charges its defibrillation capacitors to the programmed shock level, preparing a high-energy discharge. In this Biotronik device, that charging can take up to 20 seconds. At the end of this period, if the arrhythmia persists, the device delivers the rescue (defibrillation) shock, releasing the energy stored on the capacitors through the leads into the heart. ATP is a different therapy and isn’t what occurs at the moment the charging period ends. The action here is the actual shock delivery, not standby or a warning beep.

When an ICD detects a life-threatening ventricular rhythm, it first charges its defibrillation capacitors to the programmed shock level, preparing a high-energy discharge. In this Biotronik device, that charging can take up to 20 seconds. At the end of this period, if the arrhythmia persists, the device delivers the rescue (defibrillation) shock, releasing the energy stored on the capacitors through the leads into the heart. ATP is a different therapy and isn’t what occurs at the moment the charging period ends. The action here is the actual shock delivery, not standby or a warning beep.