Circulation Journal
Online ISSN : 1347-4820
Print ISSN : 1346-9843
ISSN-L : 1346-9843
Arrhythmia/Electrophysiology
Optimal Strength and Number of Shocks at Upper Limit of Vulnerability Testing Required to Predict High Defibrillation Threshold Without Inducing Ventricular Fibrillation
Kaoru TakamiAkihiro YoshidaKoji FukuzawaAsumi TakeiKunihiko KiuchiGaku KandaHiroyuki KumagaiMitsuru TakamiSatoko Torii-TanakaMitsuaki ItohKimitake ImamuraRyudo FujiwaraAtsushi SuzukiTomoyuki NakanishiSoichiro YamashitaAkinori MatsumotoKen-ichi Hirata
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2013 Volume 77 Issue 10 Pages 2490-2496

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Abstract

Background: The upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) closely correlates with the defibrillation threshold (DFT). The aim of this study was to establish the optimal protocol for using the ULV test to predict high DFT (>20J) without inducing ventricular fibrillation (VF). Methods and Results: The 10-J and 15-J ULV test with 3 coupling intervals (–20, 0, and +20ms to the peak of T-wave) and the DFT test were performed in 96 patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillator. ULV ≤10J was confirmed in 47 (49%). ULV ≤15J was confirmed in 70 (77%) of 91 patients (15-J ULV test could not be done in 5). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of both ULV >10J and >15J for predicting high DFT were 100%. The specificity and positive predictive value of ULV >15J were higher than those for ULV >10J (85% vs. 55%, 43% vs. 22%, respectively). The rate of VF inducibility for confirming ULV ≤15J was lower than that for ULV ≤10J (23% vs. 51%, P<0.0001). On analysis of single 15-J ULV test only at the peak of T-wave, VF was not induced in 79 of 91 patients, but 4 of these had high DFT. Conclusions: The 15-J ULV test with 3 coupling intervals could correctly identify high-DFT patients and reduce the necessity for VF induction at defibrillator implantation.  (Circ J 2013; 77: 2490–2496)

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© 2013 THE JAPANESE CIRCULATION SOCIETY
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