Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2026

Shock Wave Application to Cell Cultures
Published on: April 8, 2014
Cardiac arrhythmias during nonsynchronized extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
A Greenstein1, I Kaver, V Lechtman
1Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Israel.
Purpose:
We evaluated the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias during nonsynchronized extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 125 nonsynchronized shock wave lithotripsy treatments was performed using a spark plug lithotriptor.
Results:
Asymptomatic unifocal ventricular premature contractions occurred during 23 treatments (18.4%) and were more frequent during therapy on the right side (p < 0.05). Among patients undergoing multiple sessions only 1 exhibited ventricular premature contractions during treatment. No correlation was demonstrated between ventricular premature contractions and patient age, gender, presence of heart disease, stone size and location within the collecting system (kidney or ureter), presence of a ureteral catheter or nephrostomy tube, mode of anesthesia or number of shock waves.
Conclusions:
Nonsynchronized shock wave lithotripsy can be accomplished safely in most patients.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management

