Observation of the effect of pretreatment with ibutilide and direct current on cardioversion of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and the peri-treatment care

Abstract

Objective To investigate the success rate and energy requirements of ibutilide and direct current(DC)cardioversion,summarize the nursing experience.Methods Forty-six patients with persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent DC cardioversion were selelct from May 2009 to January 2011.23 patients received pretreatment with ibutilide before DC (the ibutilide group),23 patients received non drugs before DC (the control group).The cardioversion energy started at 100 J and increased if patients could not acquire sinus rhythm.All the patients were given pertinent care before,during and posttreatment.The success rate and energy requirements of the two groups were compared.Results 95.7％ of the patients were successfully cardioverted in the ibutilide group,which was significantly higher than 74.0％ of the control group.The energy required for cardioversion was ( 139.1±45.1 ) J in the ibutilide group,significantly lower than (197.8±53.3) J in the control group.Non patients terminated treatment or appeared complication because of improper nursing.Conclusions Pretreatment with ibutilide enhanced the efficacy of DC cardioversion for the patients with persistent AF at lower energy requirements.Proper nursing care can ensure the smooth process of treatment and decrease the complications. Key words: Ibutilide; Persistent atrial fibrillation; Direct current cardioversion; Nursing care