A new device and method for rapid emergency pacing: clinical use in 10 patients

A new multipurpose transthoracic pacing device is described that will simultaneously enable transthoracic electrode insertion, intracardiac drug infection, and blood sample removal for blood gas determination, all via a single myocardial needle insertion. The device proved efficacious and safe in trials in an animal model. In clinical use in 10 emergency room patients with brady-asystolic cardiac arrest, pacing was achieved in all 10 with one short-term survivor. Median insertion time was 30 seconds. Median threshold in 6 patients was 2.5 mA (1 to 6). This new device enables reliable and rapid emergency treatment of brady-asystolic cardiac arrest.