The importance of representing surface geometry and electrode resistance of transvenous electrodes in defibrillation models

Abstract

The potential gradient fields created by transvenous defibrillation (TVD) electrodes during internal defibrillation are often calculated using volume conductor models. Most defibrillation models represent the TVD electrode as an equipotential cylindrical rod and do not account for electrode features like electrode resistance, surface geometry, and electrode-electrolyte impedance. This study looks into the effects of the first two features. Results from tank studies and finite element models indicate that defibrillation models that do not consider the effects of surface geometry and electrode resistance can underestimate the total defibrillation impedance by about 10%.<>