Atrial fibrillation cardioversion
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Cardioversion | |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) or cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm, using electricity or drugs. [1]
Cardioversion
Rhythm control methods include electrical and chemical cardioversion:[2]
- Electrical cardioversion involves the restoration of normal heart rhythm through the application of a DC electrical shock.
- Chemical cardioversion is performed with drugs, such as amiodarone, dronedarone,[3] procainamide, ibutilide, propafenone or flecainide.
The main risk of cardioversion is systemic embolization of a thrombus (blood clot) from the previously fibrillating left atrium. Cardioversion should not be performed without adequate anticoagulation in patients with more than 48 hours of atrial fibrillation. Cardioversion may be performed in instances of AF lasting more than 48 hours if a transesophogeal echocardiogram (TEE) demonstrates no evidence of clot within the heart.[2]
Which ever method of cardioversion is used, approximately 50% of patient relapse within one year, although the continued daily use of oral antiarrhythmic drugs may extend this period. The key risk factor for relapse is duration of AF, although other risk factors that have been identified include the presence of structural heart disease, and increasing age.
References
- ↑ Shea, Julie B. (2002). "Cardioversion". Circulation. 106 (22): e176–8. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000040586.24302.B9. PMID 12451016. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fuster V, Rydén LE, Cannom DS, Crijns HJ, Curtis AB, Ellenbogen KA et al. (2006) ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation): developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation 114 (7):e257-354. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.177292 PMID: 16908781
- ↑ Singh BN, Connolly SJ, Crijns HJ; et al. (2007). "Dronedarone for maintenance of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation or flutter". N. Engl. J. Med. 357 (10): 987–99. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa054686. PMID 17804843.