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Cardiac electrodes designed to attach to the chest for delivering an electric shock and/or pacing pulses to the heart from devices that combine defibrillation and pacing capabilities (i.e., an external defibrillator/pacemaker). The electrodes may be applied on the thorax surface either in the anterior-posterior position (i.e., one electrode over the heart and one directly behind it) or in the anterior-anterior position (i.e., one electrode near the apex of the heart and one on the right chest). These electrodes typically consist of large surface (80 to 100 square cm), frequently pre-gelled, single-use disposable pads; the electrode impedance may be high (e.g., more than 500 Ohms) for electrodes used only for pacing or low for electrodes intended for external pacing and defibrillation. External defibrillator/pacemaker electrodes can deliver simultaneous stimuli to all chambers of the heart; they are intended to assist in resuscitating patients, to correct arrhythmias, or for temporary pacing.
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