Abstract
Supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmia and its treatment have been poorly investigated in ICU patients. AimsTo evaluate efficacy and safety of cardioversion for supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmia in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients and methodsProspective inclusion of all patients who presented supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmias lasting≥30seconds in a single medico-surgical ICU, except cardiac surgery. Anti-arrhythmic drugs and/or direct-current cardioversion were administered on a liberal basis. ResultsDuring the 15-month study period, 108/846 patients (12.8%) experienced supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Anti-arrhythmic drugs were administered in 78 patients (72%); mostly amiodarone (92%), and/or magnesium (23%), resulting in an overall conversion rate of 68%. Direct-current cardioversion was used in 26 patients (24%), (24 patients received drug enhancement by anti-arrhythmic drugs) with an immediate 80.8%-success rate. ConclusionDirect-current cardioversion was associated with sustained conversion to sinus rhythm in 80.8% of ICU patients with supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmias, although most of them had already received drug enhancement.
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