Implementation of biphasic technology at too low a strength may prevent patients from receiving this valuable therapeutic improvement. Patients who are easy to defibrillate receive a 200 biphasic shock that is more effective than a standard monophasic shock. 300 and 360J are still available in reserve for those patients who are more difficult to defibrillate and who may benefit from a full strength shock. Full strength biphasic shocks have been shown to have superior efficacy to that of either standard monophasic shocks or very-low energy biphasic shocks. Agilents BTE waveform is the most proven in the industry.
Proof is in the research.
The higher the impedance, the lower the electrical flow. For these patients in particular, the Medtronic Physio-Control full strength biphasic waveform provides the highest electrical flow of any commercial biphasic waveform. As a result, it is more forgiving of improper electrode pad placement. Studies have shown that a certain percentage of this population may require significantly higher energies for successful defibrillation. There is a chance to save more people.