Document Detail


Initial energy setting, outcome and efficiency in direct current cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11691530     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to design a more efficient protocol for the electrical cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias. BACKGROUND: Guidelines for electrical cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias recommend starting with low energy shocks, which are often ineffective. METHODS: We recorded the sequence of shocks in 1,838 attempts at cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) and 678 attempts at cardioversion for atrial flutter. These data were used to calculate the probability of success for each shock of a standard series and the probability of success with a single shock at each intensity. In 150 cases, a rhythm strip with the time of each shock allowed us to calculate the time expended on unsuccessful shocks. RESULTS: We analyzed the effects of 5,152 shocks delivered to patients for AF and 1,238 shocks delivered to patients for atrial flutter. The probability of success on the first shock in AF of > 30 days duration was 5.5% at < 200 J, 35% at 200 J and 56% at 360 J. In atrial flutter, an initial 100 J shock worked in 68%. In AF of >30 days duration, shocks of < 200 J had a 6.1% probability of success; this fell to 2.2% with a duration >180 days. In those with AF for >180 days, the initial use of a 360 J shock was associated with the eventual use of less electrical energy than with an initial shock of < or =100 J (581 +/- 316 J vs. 758 +/- 433 J, p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSIONS: An initial energy setting of > or =360 J can achieve cardioversion of AF more efficiently in patients than traditional protocols, particularly with AF of longer duration.
Authors:
M M Gallagher; X H Guo; J D Poloniecki; Y Guan Yap; D Ward; A J Camm
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Cardiology     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0735-1097     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.     Publication Date:  2001 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-11-05     Completed Date:  2001-12-05     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8301365     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Cardiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1498-504     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiological Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom. mm.gallagher@virgin.net
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Analysis of Variance
Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis,  etiology,  therapy*
Atrial Flutter / diagnosis,  etiology,  therapy*
Chronic Disease
Clinical Protocols / standards
Efficiency
Electric Countershock / adverse effects,  instrumentation,  methods*,  standards*
Electricity* / adverse effects
Electrocardiography
Humans
Least-Squares Analysis
Life Tables
Predictive Value of Tests
Retrospective Studies
Safety
Statistics, Nonparametric
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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