A new rhythm library for testing automatic external defibrillators: Performance of three devices

AbstractA library of arrhythmias obtained from patients with cardiac arrest was developed. Such a data base will permit both in vitro testing of the rhythm analysis system of automatic external defibrillators before clinical field trials are conducted and comparison of devices. Defibrillators equipped with voice/electrocardiographic tape recorders and used in the prehospital defibrillation programs in Iowa and King County, Washington provided the rhythm source. From these recordings, segments of ventricular fibrillation with minimal artifact and a duration of ≥6 s were selected. Segment of ventricular fibrillation (n = 102) were categorized by average peak amplitude as fine (1 to <3 mm), medium (3 to <7 mm), coarse (7 to