Successful biphasic transthoracic defibrillation of a dog with prolonged, refractory ventricular fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation in a dog in which biphasic defibrillation was life saving.

CASE SUMMARY: Ventricular fibrillation occurred in a 7-year-old female Australian Heeler during recovery from anesthesia following pacemaker implantation. Resuscitative efforts including immediate delivery of transthoracic monophasic defibrillation shocks of escalating energy and administration of vasopressors were unsuccessful. However, a single biphasic shock restored sinus rhythm despite prolonged duration of the arrhythmia.

NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case suggests greater efficacy of biphasic defibrillation compared with traditional monophasic defibrillation. In this dog the newer, biphasic technology was life saving after monophasic shocks failed repeatedly to terminate ventricular fibrillation.