Internal cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: the juice is not worth the squeeze

W R Berger,J R De Groot,R E Knops

doi:10.1007/s12471-013-0486-8

Abstract

Internal cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: the juice is not worth the squeeze

Highlights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and its prevalence and incidence increase with age, and with cardiovascular morbidity, such as hypertension, diabetes, vascular and valvular disease and heart failure
This is evidenced by more left atrial fibrosis, dilated atria and lower intracardial electrogram amplitudes in persistent versus paroxysmal AF [2, 3]
Despite the fact that pharmacological cardioversion is recommended as the first-line treatment option in patients with recent-onset AF [4], electrical cardioversion (ECV) is highly efficacious in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with AF, and performed on a daily basis in most hospitals

Summary

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and its prevalence and incidence increase with age, and with cardiovascular morbidity, such as hypertension, diabetes, vascular and valvular disease and heart failure. Despite the fact that pharmacological cardioversion is recommended as the first-line treatment option in patients with recent-onset AF [4], electrical cardioversion (ECV) is highly efficacious in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with AF, and performed on a daily basis in most hospitals. It was shown in a population of patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy that internal cardioversion was associated with 82 % of restoration of sinus rhythm [5].

Results

Conclusion