BACKGROUND: Direct current cardioversion (DCC) is a method to control persistent AF, to facilitate a reduction in stroke risk. Although this is a frequently performed procedure, there are no available published data regarding its outcome in an Irish setting. AIMS: To determine the short- and long-term outcome of DCC, factors predicting a successful outcome, and its safety. METHODS: Data relating to each DCC were collected retrospectively from patient notes over a 6.3 year-period, and subsequently entered into a Microsoft Access database before subsequent statistical analysis. RESULTS: Forty-five consecutive unselected patients were identified, in which 59 DCCs were performed. Sinus rhythm (SR) was achieved immediately after DCC in 54/59 (91%) patients. There was a significant positive correlation between patient body weight and the energy level required to achieve SR (p=0.0001). No thromboembolic complications were noted. After a mean follow-up time of 12 +/- 13.7months, 30/45 (67%) had maintained SR. After univariate analysis, a number of important factors predictive of maintenance of SR at follow-up were identified. CONCLUSION: DCC was found to be an effective method for short- and long-term control of AF, without thromboembolic complications, and patients with a favourable long-term outcome after DCC could conceivably be predicted on the basis of a methodical history, careful examination, simple investigations and pharmacological variables.
BACKGROUND: Direct current cardioversion (DCC) is a method to control persistent AF, to facilitate a reduction in stroke risk. Although this is a frequently performed procedure, there are no available published data regarding its outcome in an Irish setting. AIMS: To determine the short- and long-term outcome of DCC, factors predicting a successful outcome, and its safety. METHODS: Data relating to each DCC were collected retrospectively from patient notes over a 6.3 year-period, and subsequently entered into a Microsoft Access database before subsequent statistical analysis. RESULTS: Forty-five consecutive unselected patients were identified, in which 59 DCCs were performed. Sinus rhythm (SR) was achieved immediately after DCC in 54/59 (91%) patients. There was a significant positive correlation between patient body weight and the energy level required to achieve SR (p=0.0001). No thromboembolic complications were noted. After a mean follow-up time of 12 +/- 13.7months, 30/45 (67%) had maintained SR. After univariate analysis, a number of important factors predictive of maintenance of SR at follow-up were identified. CONCLUSION: DCC was found to be an effective method for short- and long-term control of AF, without thromboembolic complications, and patients with a favourable long-term outcome after DCC could conceivably be predicted on the basis of a methodical history, careful examination, simple investigations and pharmacological variables.
Authors: D Roy; M Talajic; P Dorian; S Connolly; M J Eisenberg; M Green; T Kus; J Lambert; M Dubuc; P Gagné; S Nattel; B Thibault Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2000-03-30 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: W Saliba; N Juratli; M K Chung; M J Niebauer; O Erdogan; R Trohman; B L Wilkoff; R Augostini; K A Mowrey; G R Nadzam; P J Tchou Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Kevin S Channer; Andrew Birchall; Richard P Steeds; Stephen J Walters; Wilf W Yeo; John N West; Rangasamy Muthusamy; Walter E Rhoden; Basil T Saeed; Phillip Batin; W Paul Brooksby; Ian Wilson; Simon Grant Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 29.983