['We previously showed that the cardioversion threshold (CVT) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is phase dependent when a single monophasic shock (1MP) is used.', 'The purpose of this study was to extend these findings to a biphasic shock (1BP) and to compare the efficacy of phase-independent multiple monophasic (5MP) and biphasic shocks (5BP).', 'Panoramic optical mapping with blebbistatin (5 microM) was performed in postmyocardial infarction rabbit hearts (n = 8). Flecainide (1.64 +/- 0.68 microM) was administered to promote sustained arrhythmias. 5MP and 5BP were applied within one VT cycle length (CL). Results were compared to 1BP and antitachycardia pacing.', 'We observed monomorphic VT with CL = 149.6 +/- 18.0 ms. Similar to 1MP, CVTs of 1BP were found to be phase dependent, and the maximum versus minimum CVT was 8.6 +/- 1.7 V/cm versus 3.7 +/- 1.9 V/cm, respectively (P = .0013). Efficacy of 5MP was higher than that of 1BP and 5BP. CVT was 3.2 +/- 1.4 V/cm for 5MP versus 5.3 +/- 1.9 V/cm for 5BP (P = .00027). 5MP versus averaged 1BP CVT was 3.6 +/- 2.1 V/cm versus. 6.8 +/- 1.5 V/cm, respectively (P = .00024). Antitachycardia pacing was found to be completely ineffective in this model.'] Do multiple monophasic shocks improve electrotherapy of ventricular tachycardia in a rabbit model of chronic infarction?