Key result
Repeated catheter countershocks produce little myocardial damage, causing necrosis in 1 of 4 autopsied hearts.
Why the study?
A technique for countershock using a catheter electrode in patients with recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias was described, but the extent of resultant myocardial damage was unclear.
Does cardioversion and defibrillation using a catheter electrode cause significant myocardial damage in patients with recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias?
Comparison
Repeated countershocks of 2.5-50 joules delivered through a catheter electrode
Design
Case report
Follow-up
Post-mortem (autopsy)
Authors
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May support catheter defibrillation safety in recurrent VT; leaves open confirmation in prospective human studies.
Case Report (n=4)
Does cardioversion and defibrillation using a catheter electrode cause significant myocardial damage in patients with recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias?
Repeated countershocks delivered through a catheter system produce minimal, clinically insignificant myocardial damage.
Perkins et al. (1987) conducted a case report in Recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias and recent myocardial infarction (n=4). Countershock using a catheter electrode was evaluated on Myocardial damage assessed at autopsy. Repeated countershocks delivered through a catheter system produced little myocardial damage, with catheter-induced necrosis present in only 1 of 4 hearts at autopsy.
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