Low-energy internal cardioversion for atrial fibrillation resistant to external cardioversion.
Internal Cardioversion.


BACKGROUND
This report describes the electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation in two morbidly obese patients refractory to external cardioversion at 360 J.


RESULTS
The two patients were lightly sedated and underwent placement of decapolar catheters in the coronary sinus and right atrial appendage. All ten electrodes of each decapolar catheter were electrically coupled, and defibrillation was attempted at successively increasing levels using a biphasic decaying exponential waveform generated by an external defibrillator. Both patients were returned to normal sinus rhythm using < or = 10 J without complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Internal cardioversion is effective in restoration of sinus rhythm in some patients refractory to conventional forms of therapy.
Baker
B M
BM
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Botteron
G W
GW
Smith
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged