Choice of the optimum pulse duration for precordial cardiac pacing: a theoretical study.
In precordial pacing with skin-surface electrodes, the goal is to excite the ventricles with minimal stimulation of overlying tissues. A theoretical analysis is presented to identify the relevant factors; the two most important are electrode location and pulse duration. Using the basic law of stimulation, we developed a model which indicates that the optimum pulse duration for the closed-chest pacing pulse is one that is long with respect to the membrane time constant of cardiac muscle. Current-versus-duration curves are presented for pacing and pain, based on experimentally obtained data. For pacing with minimum pain, the optimum stimulus duration was found to be about 10 ms.
L A
LA
Geddes
C F
CF
Babbs
W D
WD
Voorhees
K S
KS
Foster
A L
AL
Aronson
D000328:Adult; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors