What is the initial defibrillator dose for ventricular fibrillation in adults?

The initial defibrillation dose for ventricular fibrillation in adults is typically 200 joules when using a biphasic defibrillator. Biphasic defibrillators are commonly used in clinical practice and have been shown to be effective in terminating ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia with this standard initial energy setting.

Choosing the appropriate energy dose is critical, as it can impact the success of defibrillation and the patient's survival outcome. The 200 joules setting balances efficacy and the potential for adverse effects. Higher doses, such as 300 or 360 joules, might be recommended for subsequent shocks if the initial shock is unsuccessful, but they are not used for the first shock in the acute resuscitation of an adult experiencing ventricular fibrillation.