Why the study?
What are the complications associated with direct current countershock in patients with arrhythmias?
What are the complications associated with direct current countershock in patients with arrhythmias?
Direct current countershock for arrhythmias carries a risk of ventricular arrhythmias (2.5%), thromboembolism, and pulmonary edema.
Supports caution with direct current countershock; case reports leave true complication rates open.
Conversion with direct current countershock was attempted in 215 patients with arrhythmias, the majority of whom (81.9%) had atrial fibrillation. There was a fairly high frequency of complicating ventricular arrhythmias (2.5%), probably due to medication with digitalis and/or quinidine. Thromboembolism was only noted in one case, and pulmonary edema in three cases.
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Åberg et al. (1968) studied this question.
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