What does successful use of an AED aim to restore?

The successful use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) aims to restore normal cardiac rhythm. When a person experiences a cardiac arrest, the heart may stop beating effectively or enter a dangerous rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation. An AED is designed to analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver a shock that can reset the heart’s electrical activity, allowing it to regain a normal rhythm.

While maintaining normal breathing rate and stable blood pressure are important aspects of overall health and can be affected by effective cardiac function, the primary function of the AED is specifically to address the heart's rhythm. Changes in body temperature are not relevant to the immediate purpose of using an AED and are not directly restored by the device. Thus, the focus of AED use is fundamentally on restoring the heart's normal rhythm to re-establish effective circulation and ultimately improve survival outcomes in cardiac emergencies.