[The efficacy of scheduled cardioversion in atrial fibrillation. Comparison of two schemes of treatment: electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion]. / Eficacia de la cardioversión programada en la fibrilación auricular. Comparación de dos esquemas de tratamiento: cardioversión eléctrica frente a cardioversión farmacológica.
Rev Esp Cardiol
; 55(2): 113-20, 2002 Feb.
Article
en Es
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11852022
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:
Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia with high morbidity and mortality. Restoring sinus rhythm is one of the principle objectives in its management. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of scheduled cardioversion on atrial fibrillation by comparing two different therapeutic approaches electrical vs. pharmacological cardioversion. PATIENTS ANDMETHOD:
Two hundred thirty patients with atrial fibrillation of more than 48 hours duration and requiring sinus rhythm restoration were included. One hundred forty-four patients underwent external electrical cardioversion and 86 patients received quinidine. We analyzed the rate of success, duration of hospital stay, complications and clinical and echocardiographic variable that might predict success.RESULTS:
Sinus rhythm was restored in 181 of 230 patients (79%). The rate of success was 77% (111/144 patients) in the electrical group and 81% (70 of 86 patients) in the pharmacological group (ns). In 13 pharmacological group patients for whom the first attempt failed attempt, a second attempt with electrical cardioversion was made and was successful in 8 patients (61%). No embolic complication was recorded and only two electrical disturbances were seen. Only atrial fibrillation lasting less than 8 weeks was associated with a higher success rate (p < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:
Scheduled cardioversion in atrial fibrillation is an effective technique with a high success rate and a very low rate of complication. Electrical cardioversion and pharmacological cardioversion with quinidine are similarly effective, although the latter involves a longer hospital stay.
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Fibrilación Atrial
/
Cardioversión Eléctrica
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
Es
Revista:
Rev Esp Cardiol
Año:
2002
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
España