Cardiac Arrhythmias During Nonsynchronized Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Purpose: We evaluated the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias during nonsynchronized extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 nonsynchronized shock wave lithotripsy treatments was performed using a spark plug lithotriptor. Results: Asymptomatic unifocal ventricular premature contractions occurred during 23 treatments (18.4 percent) and were more frequent during therapy on the right side (p less than 0.05). Among patients undergoing multiple sessions only 1 exhibited ventricular premature contractions during treatment. No correlation was demonstrated between ventricular premature contractions and patient age, gender, presence of heart disease, stone size and location within the collecting system (kidney or ureter), presence of a ureteral catheter or nephrostomy tube, mode of anesthesia or number of shock waves. Conclusions: Nonsynchronized shock wave lithotripsy can be accomplished safely in most patients.