- the application of an electric current to the heart to restore normal rhythmic contractions after the onset of atrial or ventricular fibrillation
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defibrillation /dɪˌfaɪbrɪˈleɪʃən; -fɪb-/ n
de•fi•bril•late
(dē fī′brə lāt′, -fib′rə-),USA pronunciation v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing. [Med.]
de•fi′bril•la′tion, n.
- Medicineto arrest the fibrillation of (heart muscle) by applying electric shock across the chest, thus depolarizing the heart cells and allowing normal rhythm to return.
- de- + fibrillate, back formation from fibrillation 1930–35