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Cardiac electrodes designed for delivering an electric shock to the heart from external defibrillators. The electrodes may be applied to the thorax surface using dedicated paddles or self-adhesive pads with a large surface (80 to 100 square cm) placed 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). The electric shock from external defibrillators may also be applied directly to the heart during surgical procedures using smaller pads. External defibrillators can deliver powerful transthoracic shocks (e.g., up to 36o Joules) to the heart; when the shock is applied directly to the heart the energy is limited to less than 100 joules. External defibrillator electrodes provide shocks to the heart to terminate fibrillation, assist in resuscitating patients, and/or to correct arrhythmias.
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