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Ann Thorac Surg 1996;62:624
© 1996 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Correspondence

Potassium Conversion of Ventricular Fibrillation

Francis Robicsek, MD

The Sanger Clinic, PA, 1001 Blythe Blvd, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 20803

To the Editor:

I appreciate the "Reply" of Øvrum and Tangen [1]; however, the contents of my previously published article are still misinterpreted. To state that I recommended potassium termination of electric-shock--resistant ventricular fibrillation only and that Øvrum and associates introduced it as a novel primary procedure is not factual. My article stated as follows: "The method was used under elective conditions (without even trying electrical defibrillation) in six additional patients with immediate and satisfactory results" [2].

References

  1. Øvrum E, Tangen G. Potassium conversion of ventricular fibrillation. Reply [Letter]. Ann Thorac Surg 1996;61:275.[Free Full Text]
  2. Robicsek F. Biochemical termination of sustained fibrillation occurring after artificially induced ischemic arrest. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1984;87:143–5.[Abstract]
 

Reply

Eivind Øvrum, MD, PhD, Geir Tangen, MD

Oslo Heart Center, Pilestredet 32, 0027 Oslo, Norway

To the Editor:

We still are convinced that substantial differences exist between the method described by Dr Francis Robicsek and our method, when treating postischemic ventricular fibrillation. Doctor Robicsek's technique includes repeated cross-clamping of the ascending aorta, infusing warm potassium cardioplegic solution into the coronary system, and, after having achieved cardiac arrest, pacing the heart by the ventricular mode [1]. In contrast to this somewhat complicated procedure, our article reports on the effects of the very simple measure of just adding a bolus of potassium chloride to the oxygenator reservoir of the extracorporeal circuit [2]. This technique does not involve the surgeons at all, who may proceed uninterrupted with the operation. When both articles [1, 2] are studied carefully, the disparity of the two techniques appears quite clear, although they share the almost universal biochemical principle of potassium depolarization.

References

  1. Robicsek F. Biochemical termination of sustained fibrillation occurring after artificially induced ischemic arrest. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1984;87:143–5.[Abstract]
  2. Øvrum E, Tangen G, Åm Holen E, Ringdal MAL, Istad R. Conversion of postischemic ventricular fibrillation with intraaortic infusion of potassium chloride. Ann Thorac Surg 1995;60:156–9.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




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