Cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) require immediate intervention; however, standard high-energy defibrillation can place a strain on heart tissue and cause long-term damage. Amplitude-optimized defibrillation (AOD) enables the rapid restoration of an organized heart rhythm while minimizing myocardial stress as much as possible. 

AOD is performed using dynamically adjusted shock energy based on rhythm analysis, impedance measurement, and arrhythmia type. The goal is to achieve sufficient depolarization of critical myocardial masses using the minimum necessary energy. The AOD algorithm is particularly well-suited for use in automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as well as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Unlike conventional high-energy defibrillation, AOD takes into account the specific electrophysiological characteristics of the respective arrhythmia, thereby potentially reducing risks such as electroporation, myocardial damage, stunning, and proarrhythmic effects. In the long term, this leads to better cardiac recovery and a lower risk of heart failure.

In the long term, gentler defibrillation can help preserve myocardial function. The reduced tissue damage can lower the risk of fibrosis, scarring, and subsequent complications. At the same time, a more precise selection of energy levels improves the balance between therapeutic benefits and side effects, thereby supporting more sustainable emergency care.