Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6580

Date

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

Amy Curry

Committee Member

John Williams

Committee Member

Judith Soberman

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia of clinical significance. Internal cardioversion can be used to restore sinus rhythm; however, the amount of delivered energy elicits intolerable pain. Lowering delivered energy could make implantable cardioverters a promising treatment option. This study simulated cardioversion shocks in a model of the human heart using finite element analysis to determine effects of different electrode placements on defibrillation threshold (DFT) and esophageal electric field (EEF) near the left atrium. Ten right atrial to coronary sinus electrode placements were tested. Small shifts in electrode placements changed DFT by up to 42%, indicating electrode position is an important factor in lowering DFT. A relationship was not discovered between EEF and DFT. If a relationship can be discovered between an alternate EEF or other measure and DFT, electrode placements could be optimized on a patient-specific basis to lower delivered energy to painless or tolerable levels.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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