ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Even with biphasic waveforms, patients with high defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) still are seen; thus, improved defibrillation waveforms may be of clinical utility. The stepped waveform has three parts: the first portion is positive with two capacitors in parallel, the second is positive with the capacitors in series, and the last portion is negative, also with the capacitors in series. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical utility of improved defibrillation waveforms. METHODS: We measured the delivered energy DFT in 20 patients in a dual-site study using the stepped waveform and a 50/50% tilt biphasic truncated exponential as the control. All shocks were delivered using an arbitrary waveform defibrillator, which was programmed to mimic two 220-microF capacitors (110 microF in series and 440 microF in parallel). RESULTS: The peak voltage at DFT was reduced in 19 of the 20 patients. The median peak voltage was reduced by 32.0%, from 472 V to 321 V (P <.001). The median energy DFT was reduced by 33%, from 11.7 J to 7.8 J (P = .008). The mean voltage and energy were reduced by 25.3% and 20.2%, respectively. On average, the stepped waveform was able to defibrillate as well as the 50/50% tilt biphasic, with 33% more energy. The benefit was more pronounced in patients with either a lower ejection fraction or a superior vena cava coil. The benefit of the stepped waveform had an inverse quadratic correlation with the resistance (r(2) = 0.47), suggesting that the capacitance values chosen for the stepped waveform were close to optimal for a 35-Omega resistance. CONCLUSION: The stepped waveform reduced the DFT compared to the 50/50% tilt waveform in this preliminary study.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/therapy , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/methods , Defibrillators, Implantable , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology , Cardiomyopathies/complications , Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac , Equipment Design , Female , Heart Conduction System/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Cardiovascular , Myocardial Ischemia/complications , Research Design , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with a high defibrillation threshold (DFT) present an atypical but vexing problem with regard to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Their implant procedures are lengthy and involve more risk of complications. These patients often sustain a reduced safety margin that may compromise their survival. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of fixed millisecond duration model-optimized biphasic waveforms compared with conventional tilt-based waveforms in patients having a high DFT. METHODS: We compared a 65%/65% tilt biphasic waveform to a millisecond duration biphasic waveform based on the biphasic burping theory using a 90-microF shock capacitor. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were evaluated. Mean DFT with tilt was reduced from 11.0 +/- 5.5 J to 8.8 +/- 4.1 J, for a mean reduction of 20% (P < .0001). For the 13 patients with tilt-based DFTs > or = 15 J, DFT was reduced from 18.7 +/- 4.1 J to 13.4 +/- 3.5 J, for a mean DFT reduction of 28% (P = .009). The population peak DFT was reduced from 29.0 J to 17.5 J, for a 41% reduction (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Use of simple millisecond biphasic waveforms instead of conventional tilt-based waveforms can lead to substantial reductions in DFT, especially in patients with high DFT.
