Three-dimensional finite element modelling of current density in maternal transthoracic defibrillation

Although resuscitation during pregnancy is relatively uncommon and rarely cause deaths they have a particularly large impact in terms of the mortality of the unborn child and long-term effects on families and society as whole. Although modelling of current density distribution and conductive anatomy of the human transthoracic defibrillation has been subject of certain research interest the attempts to model this phenomenon in pregnant women using 3D finite element have been nonexistent. In this paper, we present simplified 3D finite element model of a pregnant female torso and calculate current density distribution in the uterus. We evaluate the current density a function of voltage difference in order to obtain maximum allowed voltage. The purpose of our study therefore is to evaluate maximum possible voltage for a given position of electrodes which can still be considered safe for a fetus.