Abstract
Despite significant research efforts of investigators in academia, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry, no effective pharmacological alternative to defibrillation by electric shock has been developed. Thus, defibrillation has evolved to become the only effective therapy against sudden cardiac death. Highly detailed knowledge of ion channel biophysics and cell signaling cascades has allowed for the development of numerous specific agonists and antagonists, but as of yet, has failed to deliver safe and effective antiarrhythmic therapy. In contrast to this approach, electrotherapy is steadily improving its efficacy and safety. Despite major improvements over the past several decades, defibrillation is not free from side effects, which may include both contractile and electrical dysfunction.1-3 In addition to physical damage to the heart, defibrillation is also associated with psychological side effects.4,5 Therefore, reduction of defibrillation energy is highly desirable. However, the basic mechanisms of defibrillation still remain debatable a century after its inception, which has slowed further improvement of the therapy. This chapter explores one of the leading hypotheses of defibrillation, the virtual electrode hypothesis, which has emerged over the past decade through the successes of novel research methodologies, including optical mapping and bidomain modeling.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cardiac Bioelectric Therapy: Mechanisms and Practical Implications |
| Publisher | Springer US |
| Pages | 331-356 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780387794020 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
The virtual electrode hypothesis of defibrillation. / Ripplinger, Crystal M; Efimov, Igor R.
Cardiac Bioelectric Therapy: Mechanisms and Practical Implications. Springer US, 2009. p. 331-356.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - The virtual electrode hypothesis of defibrillation
AU - Ripplinger, Crystal M
AU - Efimov, Igor R.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Despite significant research efforts of investigators in academia, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry, no effective pharmacological alternative to defibrillation by electric shock has been developed. Thus, defibrillation has evolved to become the only effective therapy against sudden cardiac death. Highly detailed knowledge of ion channel biophysics and cell signaling cascades has allowed for the development of numerous specific agonists and antagonists, but as of yet, has failed to deliver safe and effective antiarrhythmic therapy. In contrast to this approach, electrotherapy is steadily improving its efficacy and safety. Despite major improvements over the past several decades, defibrillation is not free from side effects, which may include both contractile and electrical dysfunction.1-3 In addition to physical damage to the heart, defibrillation is also associated with psychological side effects.4,5 Therefore, reduction of defibrillation energy is highly desirable. However, the basic mechanisms of defibrillation still remain debatable a century after its inception, which has slowed further improvement of the therapy. This chapter explores one of the leading hypotheses of defibrillation, the virtual electrode hypothesis, which has emerged over the past decade through the successes of novel research methodologies, including optical mapping and bidomain modeling.
AB - Despite significant research efforts of investigators in academia, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry, no effective pharmacological alternative to defibrillation by electric shock has been developed. Thus, defibrillation has evolved to become the only effective therapy against sudden cardiac death. Highly detailed knowledge of ion channel biophysics and cell signaling cascades has allowed for the development of numerous specific agonists and antagonists, but as of yet, has failed to deliver safe and effective antiarrhythmic therapy. In contrast to this approach, electrotherapy is steadily improving its efficacy and safety. Despite major improvements over the past several decades, defibrillation is not free from side effects, which may include both contractile and electrical dysfunction.1-3 In addition to physical damage to the heart, defibrillation is also associated with psychological side effects.4,5 Therefore, reduction of defibrillation energy is highly desirable. However, the basic mechanisms of defibrillation still remain debatable a century after its inception, which has slowed further improvement of the therapy. This chapter explores one of the leading hypotheses of defibrillation, the virtual electrode hypothesis, which has emerged over the past decade through the successes of novel research methodologies, including optical mapping and bidomain modeling.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857994818&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84857994818&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-0-387-79403-7_13
DO - 10.1007/978-0-387-79403-7_13
M3 - Chapter
SN - 9780387794020
SP - 331
EP - 356
BT - Cardiac Bioelectric Therapy: Mechanisms and Practical Implications
PB - Springer US
ER -