Defibrillators: History of Ventricular Fibrillation

BREAKING NEWS: 10.15.07--Medtronic, Inc., the world's largest maker of electronic heart devices, announced they are suspending sales of Sprint Fidelis leads. According to the FDA, these wires, used to connect defibrillators to the heart, may break or erode and may increase chance of injury. Learn more about the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Recall.

As as been historically noted, the first electrocardiogram recording of ventricular fibrillation was documented in the writings of August Hoffman, and printed in 1912.

During this time, 2 other researchers, Mines and Garrey, toiling separately, unearthed proof of the phenomenon of circus movement and re-entry as possible substrates for the generation of arrhythmias. This research was conducted in tandem by Lewis who performed further study into the notion of "circus movement."

Subsequent innovations included the research by Kerr and Bender in 1922, which resulted in an electrocardiogram identifying ventricular tachycardia evolving into ventricular fibrillation.

The re-entry device was also brought forth by DeBoer who revealed evidence that ventricular fibrillation could be induced in late systole with a single shock to a frog heart.

Spontaneous conversion of ventricular fibrillation to a more benign rhythm is uncommon in all but tiny animals. Defibrillation is the process that converts ventricular fibrillation to a more benign rhythm. This is usually by application of an electric shock to the myocardium.

Have you been harmed by an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator such as the following recalled models of Guidant?:

1. CONTAK RENEWAL 2, Model H155

2. CONTAK RENEWAL , Model H135, or

3. PRIZM 2 DR, Model 1861

If so, an experienced lawyer can help protect you from dangerous and defective medical products and pharmaceuticals. Defribillators were designed to save lives, not put the public at a greater risk. Please complete the short questions below to be in touch with an experienced defibrillator lawyer before your time limit runs out.

Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting Guidant Defibrillator cases.

see also:

Cardiac Innervation Learn more about cardiac neural innervation and vagal stimulation:
Cardiac neural innervation and vagal stimulation and get FREE Guidant Defibrillator Lawsuit info

Mechanisms What You Need to Know About Guidant Defibrillators and Mechanisms
Guidant Defibrillator: Mechanisms of Ventricular Fibrillation

Learn More Dangerous Recalled PRIZM 2 DR, Model 1861
Legal help for men and women with the dangerous PRIZM defibrillator