Ambulatory electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

• Published in: International journal of cardiology Vol. 107; no. 3; pp. 303 - 306
• Main Authors: Franzen, Damian, Brombach, Klaus, Möbius, Hartmut
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 08.03.2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aged; Ambulatory; Ambulatory Care; Atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardioversion; Electric Countershock - adverse effects; Electrical cardioversion; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Safety; Treatment Outcome; Cardioversion; Electrical cardioversion; Ambulatory; Atrial fibrillation; Intensive cardiocirculatory care; Arrhythmia; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Phlebology; Excitability disorder; Heart disease; Circulatory system; Cardiology
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2005.03.043

Elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is an effective and safe cardiac procedure in selected patients. It is most often performed during a short hospital stay or in an outpatient setting of a hospital. In a retrospective analysis, we report our experience on electrical cardioversions in private practice without a hospital stand-by performed by a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist in concert. Sixty patients with a mean age of 66 ± 8 years and a typical spectrum of cardiac diseases in stable condition were chosen for the ambulatory procedure. The immediate success rate of electrical cardioversion was 83%. Within the next 3 months, a relapse of atrial fibrillation occurred in 46%. Following 87 procedures in 60 patients, 3 complications requiring a hospital admission occurred. One of these three patients had suffered from a short syncope without other deficits potentially due to cerebral embolism. Apart from these complications, no patient suffered a thromboembolic complication or a cerebral problem following electrical cardioversion. We conclude that elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation can be performed safely, effectively and comfortable for patient and physician following a preceding evaluation and counseling by a cardiac specialist.