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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Multiple failed external defibrillation attempts during robot-assisted internal mammary harvest for myocardial
Kevin W Hatton1, Lawrence C Kilinski, Chandrashekar Ramaiah
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.
Abstract:
We describe multiple failed external defibrillation attempts via rescue defibrillation pads for ventricular fibrillation that occurred secondary to direct electrical current transmission through the pericardial sac from electrocautery during robot-assisted internal mammary harvest. Only after resumption of two-lung ventilation and decompression of the iatrogenic pneumothorax was the patient successfully defibrillated. Conditions necessary for robotic intrathoracic surgery may make defibrillation and resuscitation difficult if they become necessary.
