Increase in regional cerebral saturation after elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is only transient and without beneficial effects on neuropsychological functioning: cerebral saturation during electrical cardioversion.

We aimed to confirm the positive association between a successful electrical cardioversion (ECV) and increase in SctO2 and investigated whether this increase is persisting or not. Secondary, the influence of a successful ECV on the neuropsychological function and the association with SctO2 was assessed as well. SctO2 was measured continuously during elective ECV using near-infrared spectroscopy. Measurements started before induction of sedation and ended 15 min after awakening. A second measurement took place 4 to 6 weeks after ECV. To assess neuropsychological functioning, patients performed standardized neuropsychological tests before ECV and at follow-up and were compared to healthy volunteers as control group. SctO2 was measured in 60 patients during elective ECV. ECV was successful in 50 AF patients, while in ten patients sinus rhythm was not obtained. SctO2 increased immediately after successful ECV in 50 patients (1% (- 5 to 4); p = 0.031), but not after unsuccessful ECV in 10 patients (- 1% (- 5;3); p = 0.481). This SctO2 change was positively correlated with the instant change in blood pressure (R2 = 0.391; p = 0.004). At follow-up, SctO2 values were no longer increased. Nevertheless, successful ECV improved the patient's quality of life but did not influence neuropsychological functioning at follow-up. A transient, instant SctO2 increase was observed after successful ECV. This temporary increase in SctO2 did not influence the neuropsychological functioning of the patients. Though, the quality of life of patients with a successful ECV improved.