A single low-energy shock from a miniature defibrillator successfully removed ventricular fibrillation in 73 of 82 episodes (89%), challenging the need for high-energy shocks.
Observational (n=82)
Does low-energy direct-current shock effectively correct ventricular fibrillation in patients with ischemic heart disease?
Low-energy direct-current shocks (150-165 Ws) are highly effective at terminating ventricular fibrillation, challenging the conventional requirement for high-energy shocks and enabling the development of smaller, portable defibrillators.
Most deaths from ischaemic heart disease are sudden, occur outside hospital, and result from ventricular fibrillation. But defibrillators have only limited availability because of their size and weight. A miniature defibrillator has been developed. A singe low-energy shock succeeded in removing ventricular fibrillation in 73 out of 82 episodes, and a further shock was successful in seven more episodes. Primary ventricular fibrillation probably always responds to low-energy electrical shocks, which challenges the conventional view that correction of ventricular fibrillation requires high-energy direct-current shock. Thus even smaller and lighter defibrillators are possible. Furthermore low-energy shocks cause less myocardial damage.
Pantridge et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Ventricular fibrillation (n=82). Miniature defibrillator (low-energy shock) was evaluated on Removal of ventricular fibrillation. A single low-energy shock from a miniature defibrillator successfully removed ventricular fibrillation in 73 of 82 episodes (89%), challenging the need for high-energy shocks.