Termination of Refractory Tachycardia by External Countershock

Abstract

External electric countershock has been used to terminate refractory supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in eight patients. General anesthesia is necessary when the patient is conscious. This technic is indicated when the patient's condition is desperate or intolerable and drug therapy is ineffective, too slow, or otherwise inadvisable.