Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Eighty-two patients with chronic AF (mean duration 6.1 months, range 1-96 months) underwent low energy intracardiac cardioversion. Forty-one patients (Group A) were instructed to suspend antiarrhythmic therapy 48 hours before the procedure (only chronic amiodarone was allowed). The subsequent 41 patients (Group B), in addition to previous prescriptions, had to take verapamil (120 mg twice daily) for 3 days before low energy intracardiac cardioversion and for 7 days after cardioversion. A right atrium-coronary sinus or right atrium-left pulmonary artery electrode configuration was indifferently utilized. Propafenone (450-900 mg daily) or amiodarone (200 mg daily) was prescribed to all patients after cardioversion. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was acutely restored in 80 patients (97.6%): the mean number of shocks delivered was 2.3 (range 1-5); the mean energy required was 10.5 J (range 7.2-19.8 J). No statistically significant differences were found between the right atrium-coronary sinus vs right atrium-left pulmonary artery electrode configuration regarding the energy required and the number of shocks delivered. Group A and Group B showed the same number of AF recurrences at the first month of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | F Zardo, F Antonini-Canterin, M Brieda, E Hrovatin, D Pavan, C Burelli, E Cervesato, G L Nicolosi |
Journal | Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology
(Ital Heart J)
Vol. 2
Issue 7
Pg. 513-8
(Jul 2001)
ISSN: 1129-471X [Print] Italy |
PMID | 11501960
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Verapamil
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Atrial Fibrillation
(drug therapy, prevention & control)
- Atrial Function, Right
(drug effects)
- Calcium Channel Blockers
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Electric Countershock
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Recurrence
- Verapamil
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
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