Preimplant atrial defibrillation testing with a temporary catheter in sheep.

Prior to implantation of an atrial defibrillator, its effectiveness should be tested in each patient. A new catheter design for temporary use with electrodes for atrial defibrillation, electrogram sensing, and pacing was tested in this study. Atrial defibrillation thresholds defined using this temporary catheter were compared to the ones defined by catheters intended for chronic use with an implantable atrial defibrillator.

Maintenance of atrial fibrillation in anesthetized and unanesthetized sheep using cholinergic drive.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) was induced electrically and the duration of AF was measured in six isoflurane-anesthetized sheep (weight range 54.5-72.7 kg), and in five unanesthetized sheep (weight range 60-75 kg).

Magnetic (eddy-current) electroventilation in the dog.

Magnetic (eddy-current) stimulation of the inspiratory motor nerves in the neck of the anesthetized dog was achieved. Using a 10-turn coil wound around the base of the neck and a train of pulses (25/s), inspiration was produced by tetanic contraction of the inspiratory muscles. The volume of air inspired increased with an increase in the voltage applied to the capacitor that was discharged repetitively into the coil.