Document Detail


Role of echocardiography in patients undergoing elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  9714099     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Echocardiography has emerged as a fundamental tool in the evaluation of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Transthoracic echocardiography remains a primary tool for the evaluation and management of many patients presenting with their first episode of AF, but it is not adequate for exclusion of atrial thrombi. TEE offers excellent visualization of the atria and accurate identification or exclusion of thrombi. In concert with therapeutic anticoagulation, a TEE-guided approach to early cardioversion appears to have a safety profile similar to that of conventional therapy (1 month of precardioversion warfarin). The TEE-guided approach offers the advantages of simplified anticoagulation management and shorter duration of sustained AF, thereby allowing for a more rapid recovery of atrial mechanical function. Warfarin should be continued for 1 month after cardioversion to allow for more complete recovery of atrial function and for prophylaxis should the patient revert to AF. Cost-effectiveness models demonstrate that TEE-guided cardioversion represents a cost-effective strategy, but only if the transthoracic echocardiogram is omitted. For patients with a thrombus on the initial TEE, follow-up TEE (to document thrombus resolution) is recommended before cardioversion.
Authors:
D I Silverman; W J Manning
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Circulation     Volume:  98     ISSN:  0009-7322     ISO Abbreviation:  Circulation     Publication Date:  1998 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1998-09-08     Completed Date:  1998-09-08     Revised Date:  2007-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0147763     Medline TA:  Circulation     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  479-86     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Cardiology Division, John Dempsey Hospital and University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*,  ultrasonography*
Echocardiography* / methods
Electric Countershock*
Humans
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods
Warfarin / therapeutic use
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
M01-RR-06192/RR/NCRR NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anticoagulants; 81-81-2/Warfarin
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Circulation. 1999 Feb 23;99(7):977   [PMID:  10028014 ]

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


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