Best evidence topic report: paddle position in emergency cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether the antero-lateral or antero-posterior paddle position is best at reverting acute atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Altogether 954 papers were found using the reported search, of which five presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.