What is the main advantage of using a biphasic defibrillator compared to a monophasic one?

The main advantage of using a biphasic defibrillator is that it can deliver an effective therapeutic shock to the heart at lower energy levels, which significantly reduces the risk of causing damage to myocardial tissues compared to a monophasic defibrillator. Biphasic defibrillators deliver the electric shock in two phases, reversing the direction of the current midway through the shock. This two-directional approach allows for more effective defibrillation at lower energy settings, which has been shown to improve the safety and efficacy of defibrillation procedures, minimizing potential side effects on the heart.

Other options, while relevant, do not address the primary intrinsic benefit of biphasic technology. For example, while it is true that smaller, portable devices can be beneficial and that continuous monitoring is important, these factors do not directly relate to the key advantage of reducing damage during defibrillation. The maintenance costs and expenses can vary independently of the technology type and do not encapsulate the critical performance difference inherent to biphasic defibrillators.