Summary
The effect of direct current countershock on the myocardium in 10 patients undergoing elective cardioversion was evaluated utilizing 99m Tc Pyrophosphate imaging and MB CPK isoenzyme estimations. No perfusion abnormality or elevation of MB CPK occurred. The cumulative energy required for cardioversion ranged from 200–800 w/sec. It is concluded that myocardial injury or necrosis does not develop within these energy settings.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Dahl, C. F., Ewy, G. A., Warner, E. D. and Thomas, E.D. 1974. Myocardial necrosis from direct current countershock: effect of paddle electrode size and time interval between discharges. Circulation 50, 956.
Dicola, V. C., Freedman, G. S., Downing, S. E. and Zarret, B. L. 1976. Myocardial uptake of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate followin direct current transthoracic countershock. Circulation 54, 980.
Doherty, P. W., McLaughlin, P. R., Billingham, M., Kernoff, R., Goris, M. and Harrison, D. O 1979. Cardiac damage produced by direct current countershock applied to the heart. Am. J. Cardiol. 43, 225.
Ehsani, A., Ewy, G. A. and Sober, B. E. 1976. Effects of electrical countershock on serum creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme activity. Am. J. Cardiol. 37, 12.
Griffiths, P. D. 1965. Serum creatine kinase and exercise. Br. Med. J. ii, 167.
Kontinnen, A., Hulpi, V., Louhija, A. and Hartel, G. 1969. Origin of elevated serum enzyme activity after direct current countershock. N. Engl. J. Med. 281, 231.
Mercer, D. W. 1974. Separation of tissue and serum creatine kinase isoenzymes by ionexchange column chromatography. Clin. Chem. 20, 36.
Parkey, R. W., Bonte, F. J., Meyer, S. L., Atkins, J. M., Curry, G. C. and Willerson, J. T. 1974. A new method for radionuclide imaging of acute myocardial infarction in humans. Circulation 50, 540.
Pugh, B. R., Buja, L. M., Parkey, R. W., Poliner, L. R., Stokley, E. M., Bronte, F. J. and Willerson, J. T. 1976. Cardioversion and “false positive” technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigrams. Circulation 54, 399.
Resnekov, L. and McDonald, L. 1967. Complications in 220 patients with cardiac dysrhythmias treated by phased direct current shock and indications for electroversion. Br. Heart J. 29, 926.
Roberts, R., Gowda, K. S., Ludbrook, P. A. and Burton, E. S. 1975. Specificity of elevated serum MB creatine phosphokinase activity in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Am. J. Cardiol. 36, 433.
Roberts, R., Henry, P. D., Sake, A. G. J. W., Burton, E. S. 1974. Quantification of serum creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme activity. Am. J. Cardiol. 33, 650.
Slodki, S. J., Falicov, R. E., Katz, M. J. and Sheldon, J. 1966. Serum enzyme changes following external dilrect current shock therapy for cardiac arrythmias. Am. J. Cardiol. 17, 792.
Turner, J. R. B. and Towers, J. R. H. 1965. Complications of cardioversion. Lancet ii, 612.
Willerson, J. T., Parkey, R. W., Bonte, F. J., Meer, S. L. and Stokely, E. M. 1975. Acute subendocardial myocardial infarction in patients: Its detection by technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigrams. Circulation 51, 436.
Willerson, J. T., Parkey, R. W., Bonte, F. J., Stokely, E. M. and Buja, L. M. 1976. Technetium stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy: A new method of proven value for the diagnosis and localization of acute myocardial infarcts and for the detection of infarct extension in patients. Tex. Med. (Austin) 72, 61.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harte, M., Ennis, J. & Horgan, J.H. The effect of direct current countershock on the myocardium. I.J.M.S. 150, 38–40 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938193
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938193