What defibrillation energy setting is used for monophasic waves?

In the context of defibrillation, the appropriate energy setting for monophasic defibrillators is 360 joules. Monophasic defibrillators deliver a single, unidirectional shock to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm during certain types of cardiac arrest, particularly ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

The recommendation of using 360 joules is based on clinical studies that have demonstrated it to be the most effective energy level for successfully terminating these arrhythmias with monophasic devices. This higher energy output helps to ensure that the electrical shock is strong enough to depolarize the myocardial cells, thereby disrupting the chaotic electrical activity characteristic of these life-threatening rhythms.

Other energy settings used in defibrillation techniques, such as 100 joules or 200 joules, are typically associated with biphasic defibrillators, which have different mechanisms of shock delivery. Biphasic defibrillators deliver shocks that flow in both directions, allowing for effective defibrillation at lower energy levels compared to monophasic devices. Understanding the energy requirements for different types of defibrillators is crucial for effective management of cardiac arrest scenarios.