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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
Published on: January 30, 2020
External cardiac defibrillation during wet-surface cooling in pigs
Alexandra Schratter1, Wolfgang Weihs, Michael Holzer
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Transthoracic defibrillation is safe and effective when the skin is wet from ice-cold water cooling. This method showed a trend toward fewer shocks needed for restoring spontaneous circulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Surface cooling with ice-cold water is used in critical care.
- The impact of wet skin on defibrillation effectiveness is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of transthoracic defibrillation during surface cooling with ice-cold water.
- To compare defibrillation success in dry versus wet conditions.
Main Methods:
- A pig ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model was used.
- Defibrillation was performed in both dry and wet conditions using the ThermoSuit System, which circulates ice-cold water.
- Success was defined as restoration of spontaneous circulation; current and voltage were measured.
Main Results:
- There was a trend towards fewer shocks required for restoration of spontaneous circulation in the wet condition compared to the dry condition.
- The energy delivered was consistent across both conditions (144 +/- 3 J).
Conclusions:
- Transthoracic defibrillation is safe and effective even when the skin is wet from ice-cold water cooling.
- Wet conditions may potentially improve defibrillation efficacy, indicated by fewer shocks needed.
