Asystole Study

Found the studies and articles on damage caused by defibrillating asystole,

"...outcomes for asystolic patients had a tendency to be better when the initial therapy did not involve CS." (CS standing for countershock.)

Martin DR, Gavin T, Bianco J, Brown CG, Stueven H, Pepe PE, Cummins RO, Gonzalez E, Jastremski M.
Initial countershock in the treatment of asystole.
Resuscitation. 1993 Aug;26(1):63-8.

And then on: http://www2.nurseweek.com/ce/self-study_modules/course.html?ID=275

"Defibrillating asystole can stun the heart and produce a profound parasympathetic discharge, preventing natural pacemaker recovery and spontaneous cardiac activity.1,3"

1. The Automated External Defibrillator. In: Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care: International Consensus on Science. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2000:161-176.

3. Cummins RO, ed. Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2001.

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There's also another one, but the website's server is down. But as always there's the chance that it could be very fine vfib in which case the shock is appropriate.