Related Experiment Videos
Arrhythmia during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Z R Zeng1, E Lindstedt, A Roijer
1Department of Cardiology, Shanghai No. 6 People's Hospital, China.
British Journal of Urology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can cause arrhythmias in 30% of patients. Monitoring is recommended for those with heart conditions, while pulse oximetry suffices for others.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Urology
Background:
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a common procedure for kidney stone removal.
- The potential for cardiac complications during ESWL requires investigation.
Observation:
- A prospective study monitored 50 patients undergoing ESWL using an EDAP LT01 piezoelectric lithotriptor.
- Continuous 12-lead ECG recordings were taken before and during treatment.
- Arrhythmias, including atrial and ventricular ectopic beats, occurred in 15 patients (30%).
Findings:
- Arrhythmia occurrence was similar for right-sided and left-sided ESWL.
- Severe arrhythmias, including ventricular bigeminy and brief cardiac arrest, were observed in two patients.
- The study suggests vagal activation and sedo-analgesia, rather than the shock wave itself, may cause arrhythmias.
Implications:
- ECG monitoring is advised for patients with severe heart disease or a history of complex arrhythmias during ESWL.
- Pulse oximetry (monitoring oxygen saturation and pulse rate) is suggested as a reliable alternative for other patients to detect vaso-vagal reactions.