Ventricular Fibrillation

THE COMBINATION of an effective external cardiac defibrillator, as developed by Zoll and his associates,1and closed-chest cardiac massage technique as proposed by Kouwenhoven et al,2has been employed successfully in resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation.3-5 Seventeen cases of ventricular fibrillation due to coronary disease have recently been managed by this combined method at 500 bed Methodist Hospital in Memphis with four long-term survivals. It is our purpose to consider the experience gained from these patients. In all cases, the combined method was employed. Prompt ventilation, removal of the patient when necessary to a firm surface, and the institution of external massage were carried out. The interval between onset of arrest and institution of treatment, averaged 2 minutes; it never exceeded 4 minutes. Electrocardiographic diagnosis of ventricular fibrillation was then established and intracardiac adrenalin was injected, followed by the administration of electric counter-shock. Tracheal intubation was effected as