Spark-Generating Properties of Electrode Gels Used During Defibrillation
- 25 November 1988
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA
- Vol. 260 (20) , 3021-3024
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1988.03410200077029
Abstract
After a defibrillation attempt started a fire in an oxygen-enriched intensive care unit environment, seven popular electrode gels were tested for spark-generating properties by repeated 360-J electrical discharges into a 50-Ω test load. Gels with low initial impedance (7±1 Ω) allowed a high current flow (51 ±1 A), maintained a cool temperature (27°C to 33°C), and did not spark. Gels with high initial impedance (125 ±14 Ω) allowed less current (26 ±2 A), heated to 52°C±2°C, liquified, and generated an electrical spark after the fourth or fifth discharge. Federal standards should be developed to identify and label electrode gels that can be used safely for high-current applications such as defibrillation. (JAMA1988;260:3021-3024)Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Standards and guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC). National Academy of Sciences - National Research CouncilPublished by American Medical Association (AMA) ,1986
- Does Nitroglycerin Explode?New England Journal of Medicine, 1983
- Experimental Studies to Design Safe External Pediatric Paddles for a DC DefibrillatorIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 1972