Successful biphasic transthoracic defibrillation of a dog with prolonged, refractory ventricular fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation in a dog in which biphasic defibrillation was life saving.


METHODS
Ventricular fibrillation occurred in a 7-year-old female Australian Heeler during recovery from anesthesia following pacemaker implantation. Resuscitative efforts including immediate delivery of transthoracic monophasic defibrillation shocks of escalating energy and administration of vasopressors were unsuccessful. However, a single biphasic shock restored sinus rhythm despite prolonged duration of the arrhythmia.


CONCLUSIONS
This case suggests greater efficacy of biphasic defibrillation compared with traditional monophasic defibrillation. In this dog the newer, biphasic technology was life saving after monophasic shocks failed repeatedly to terminate ventricular fibrillation.
Bright
Janice M
JM
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1620, USA. jmbright@colostate.edu
Wright
Bonnie D
BD
D000818:Animals; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*