Electric Shock Hazards in Cardiac Catheterization

Abstract

1. These studies demonstrate that ventricular fibrillation can be produced in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs by a current as low as 35 microamperes and a voltage as low as 0.06 volt. 2. Analysis of circuits of medical electronic equipment which is usually considered safe indicates that such low current levels may exist in the heart during catheterization. 3. The safety procedures established for our laboratory to minimize the hazard of electric shock are presented.

The Clinical Usefulness of Hydrogen Gas as an Indicator of Left-to-Right Shunts

“…10 The electrical equipment must be tested to insure that it will not induce such hazards. Careful attention to the connection of all electrical equipment to a common ground should be made.…”

Clinical use of ascorbic acid as an indicator of right-to-left shunt. With a note on other applications.

“…In addition it has obvious advantages for laboratories unwilling to store hydrogen gas. The same precautions as noted in the study using hydrogen gas (Hugenholtz et al, 1963) and by Weinberg et al (1962) with regard to the hazard of inducing ventricular fibrillation via an internal electrode should be followed, particularly with the use of the platinium catheter. Details of such precautions have been given before (Hugenholtz et al, 1963).…”

Diagnostic applications of the platinum electrode catheter.

“…These do exist (Weinberg et al, 1962), but if a minimum of common sense precautions is taken, the procedure is as safe as an ordinary cardiac catheterization. Hydrogen is known to be an explosive gas, and its use in the presence of electrical equipment and in operating suites has been feared.…”

“…Possible electric shock hazards to the patient (Weinberg et al, 1962) should be considered and appropriate precautions taken. It is absolutely necessary that the recorder be properly grounded.…”