DIRECT CURRENT COUNTERSHOCK COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Abstract Conversion with direct current countershock was attempted in 215 patients with arrhythmias, the majority of whom (81.9%) had atrial fibrillation. There was a fairly high frequency of complicating ventricular arrhythmias (2.5%), probably due to medication with digitalis and/or quinidine. Thromboembolism was only noted in one case, and pulmonary edema in three cases.