Atrial Defibrillation Using Temporary Epicardial Defibrillation Stainless Steel Wire Electrodes: Studies in the Canine Sterile

Objectives. This study sought o determine whether temporary epicardial wire electrodes can be used safely and effectively to defibrillate the atria with low energy shocks in the absence of anesthesia. Background. Atrial fibrillation after open heart surgery is a significant clinical problem. Methods. Twelve dogs with sterile pericarditis were studied. In the first group (6 dogs, bilateral thoracotomy group), a wire electrode, insulated except for the distal 6 em, was placed on the epicardial free wall of each atrium. Each end of the bare wire was then sutured to the parietal pericardium. In the second group (6 dogs, median sternotomy group), the wire electrodes were kept in place by a double loop of Prolene placed around the distal tip of the bare wire and sewn to the overlying parietal pericardium. In the bilateral thoracotomy group, atrial defibrillation threshold