Electrically conductive implantable microelectrodes or microconductors are used to lower the transthoracic impedance of an animal. An adapter is provided to enable use of a separate electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet in connection with the implanted microelectrodes or microconductors as an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The adapter includes a connector to connect the adapter to the electronic device, at least one capacitor that may be charged to a predetermined level from the power source of the electronic device, and an electrode through which an electric shock may be delivered from the capacitor through the implanted microelectrodes or microconductors to the heart of the animal.
