What is the primary aim of early defibrillation in the resuscitation chain?

The primary aim of early defibrillation in the resuscitation chain is to restore normal heart rhythm. When a patient experiences a cardiac arrest, especially due to ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, preventing it from effectively pumping blood. Early defibrillation delivers a direct current shock to the heart, which can help reset the heart's electrical system, allowing it to regain a normal rhythm. This critical intervention increases the chances of survival and the likelihood of neurological recovery after cardiac arrest.

While aspects like adequate ventilation, cardiac output, and blood circulation are important in the context of overall resuscitation efforts, the specific role of defibrillation is to correct the arrhythmia that is life-threatening in cardiac arrest situations. Therefore, the restoration of normal heart rhythm is the most immediate and crucial goal in the context of defibrillation.