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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

A Rat Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Resuscitation by Conventional Closed-chest Technique
Published on: April 26, 2015
First Report of Survival in Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation After Dual-Axis Defibrillation and Esmolol
Kevin M Boehm1, Daniel C Keyes1, Laura E Mader2
1St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Departments of Graduate Medical Education and Emergency Medicine, Livonia, Michigan; Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, East Lansing, Michigan.
Abstract:
There is a subset of patients who suffer a witnessed ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest and despite receiving reasonable care with medications (epinephrine and amiodarone) and multiple defibrillations (3+ attempts at 200 joules of biphasic current) remain in refractory VF (RVF), also known as electrical storm. The mortality for these patients is as high as 97%. We present the case of a patient who, with a novel approach, survived RVF to outpatient follow up.
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