What device is specifically designed to treat life-threatening arrhythmias?

The defibrillator is specifically designed to treat life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly those that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. This device delivers electrical shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. By using defibrillation, the electrical activity of the heart can be reset, allowing it to re-establish an effective pumping action.

In contrast, a cardiac monitor is used to observe the heart’s rhythm and rate, but it does not actively treat arrhythmias; it merely displays information. A stethoscope allows healthcare providers to listen to heart sounds, but it does not have any therapeutic capability for arrhythmias. The blood pressure cuff measures blood pressure but is unrelated to the management of heart rhythm issues. Thus, the defibrillator is the only device in this context specifically designed to treat potentially fatal arrhythmias.