Automatic and semiautomatic external defibrillator/pacers: futuristic emergency devices.

Automatic and semiautomatic defibrillator/pacers are new devices that combine many of the functions of an ECG unit, an external pacemaker, and a defibrillator into one unit with a built-in logic system. These devices are well researched and are gaining acceptance by the American Heart Association, emergency room physicians, and others concerned with emergency treatment of cardiac arrest, fibrillation, and potentially fatal dysrhythmias. These instruments are dependable, easy to use, and may in the future have a potential value for some dental practitioners who treat high risk cardiac patients or those using deep sedation and general anesthesia.