Abstract
Cardioversion of AF with ibutilide
Highlights
Transthoracic electrical cardioversion is not always successful in restoring sinus rhythm in those with atrial fibrillation of long duration, or those with a dilated left atrium
In the 50 patients who received pretreatment with ibutilide, 20% had restoration of sinus rhythm with ibutilide alone and the remaining 80% reverted to sinus rhythm following electrical cardioversion
72% of those not receiving ibutilide pretreatment reverted to sinus rhythm following transthoracic cardioversion, but all cardioverted following further transthoracic cardioversion after receiving ibutilide in the crossover period
Summary
Transthoracic electrical cardioversion is not always successful in restoring sinus rhythm in those with atrial fibrillation of long duration, or those with a dilated left atrium. The new class III antiarrhythmic agent, ibutilide, has been shown to chemically cardiovert atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm and reduces the energy necessary for ventricular defibrillation. Its effects on the energy requirements for the defibrillation of AF have not been studied
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