Comparatively, how does the risk of skin burns with biphasic waveform defibrillation stand against monophasic?

When comparing the risk of skin burns associated with biphasic waveform defibrillation to monophasic waveform defibrillation, biphasic defibrillation is associated with a lower risk of skin burns.

Biphasic defibrillators deliver a shock that is applied in two phases, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. This method has been shown to be more effective at terminating certain types of arrhythmias with lower energy levels compared to monophasic defibrillators, which deliver a single-direction shock at higher energy levels. The higher energy output in monophasic defibrillation increases the likelihood of skin burns due to the prolonged duration and intensity of the current passing through the skin.

Therefore, biphasic defibrillation not only reduces the risk of skin burns but also improves patient outcomes in terms of successful defibrillation, making it a preferred choice in many clinical settings.