AIM: To determine whether elective direct current (dc) cardioversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter causes myocardial damage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase were estimated 20-28 hours after dc cardioversion in 51 patients who received dc shocks for elective cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation/flutter. Although creatine kinase was raised in 44 patients, cardiac troponin T was undetectable in all patients. CONCLUSION: Cardiac damage does not occur as a result of cardioversion.
AIM: To determine whether elective direct current (dc) cardioversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter causes myocardial damage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase were estimated 20-28 hours after dc cardioversion in 51 patients who received dc shocks for elective cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation/flutter. Although creatine kinase was raised in 44 patients, cardiac troponin T was undetectable in all patients. CONCLUSION:Cardiac damage does not occur as a result of cardioversion.
Authors: Andrew Worster; P J Devereaux; Diane Heels-Ansdell; Gordon H Guyatt; John Opie; Farouk Mookadam; Stephen A Hill Journal: CMAJ Date: 2005-06-21 Impact factor: 8.262