Paddle position and size effects in human transthoracic defibrillation- a three-dimensional finite element model

A realistic three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the conductive anatomy of a human thorax has been constructed to quantitatively assess the current density distribution produced in the heart and thorax during transthoracic defibrillation. The model is based on a series of cross-secti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Camacho, M.A., Eisenberg, S.R., Perlmutter, N.G., Lehr, J.L.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical engineering
Conductivity
Current density
Defibrillation
Finite element methods
Heart
Humans
Muscles
Myocardium
Thorax
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Summary:A realistic three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the conductive anatomy of a human thorax has been constructed to quantitatively assess the current density distribution produced in the heart and thorax during transthoracic defibrillation. The model is based on a series of cross-sectional CT scans and incorporates isotropic conductivities for 8 tissues and an approximation of the anisotropic conductivity of skeletal muscle. Current density distributions were determined for 4 paddle pairings and 2 paddle sizes. Our results show fairly uniform myocardial current density distributions for all paddle pairs and sized examined. Maximum current density values less than or equal to 4 times the minimum current density (J sub(th)) necessary to inactivate a myocyte suggest that common clinically used defibrillation paddle positions have a safety factor of at least 2.5.
DOI:10.1109/IEMBS.1993.978853