title: Effect of preexisting epicardial patch electrodes on defibrillation thresholds of unipolar defibrillators.
abstract: The question is addressed whether patients with thoracotomy defibrillators and failing epicardial electrodes can be effectively treated with the implantation of prepectoral unipolar ("active can") defibrillators. Results indicate that abandoned epicardial patches in the pathway of unipolar defibrillation currents do not affect defibrillation thresholds and active can efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Texas Arrhythmia Institute, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Cedillo-Salazar
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pacifico
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004566:Electrodes; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged