Nature and determinants of skin "burns" after transthoracic cardioversion.
Skin biopsies obtained 24 hours after elective cardioversion of 30 patients showed variable epidermal necrosis and upper dermal perivascular inflammation, most noticeably in patients receiving high individual peak (> or = 300 J) and cumulative (> or = 350 J) shock energies. Thus, damped sine wave shocks cause skin injury--first degree burns--the severity of which is a function of peak and cumulative shock energy.
Pagan-Carlo
L A
LA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Stone
M S
MS
Kerber
R E
RE
D001706:Biopsy; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes / Q000009:adverse effects; D004817:Epidermis / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology