title: Transthoracic defibrillation: effect of dual-pathway sequential pulse shocks and single-pathway biphasic pulse shocks in a canine model.
abstract: To determine whether dual-pathway sequential shocks and single-pathway biphasic shocks improved the efficacy of transthoracic defibrillation, we delivered single or sequential truncated waveform shocks of variable duration, voltage, and direction (polarity) to three groups of closed-chest dogs. Dual-pathway sequential shocks were assessed in group 1 (eight animals), biphasic shocks with a single pathway were compared in 11 dogs (group 2), and the effect of varying the duration of the biphasic shocks was assessed in group 3 (four animals). There was no improvement in success rates of the intervention shocks compared with a standard single "control" shock at any energy level. In this experimental model unidirectional or biphasic sequential shocks given over single or dual pathways were not superior to standard single-pulse transthoracic defibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kallok
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birkett
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kieso
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kerber
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004566:Electrodes; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D012074:Remission Induction; D013909:Thorax; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*