title: Transesophageal cardioversion.
abstract: With the use of a novel quadripolar esophageal electrode system, we have attempted 131 transesophageal cardioversions in 105 patients: 109 episodes were atrial fibrillation, 16 episodes were atrial flutter, 2 episodes were supraventricular tachycardia, and 4 episodes were ventricular tachycardia. The mean predicted transesophageal impedance (+/- SEM) of 52.6 +/- 1.1 omega was significantly lower than the mean predicted transthoracic impedance (+/- SEM) of 63.1 +/- 1.6 omega (n = 104; p < 0.01). Of the 88 patients who presented with atrial fibrillation as the initial arrhythmia, successful transesophageal cardioversion (maximal delivered transesophageal energy of 100 J in 84 patients and 200 J in 4 patients) was recorded in 70 (79.5%); transesophageal cardioversion required a mean delivered energy of 63.1 +/- 4.2 J and a mean peak current of 20.3 +/- 0.6 A. Transthoracic countershock (maximal delivered energy of 360 J) was attempted in 17 of 18 patients when the transesophageal approach had been unsuccessful; countershock was successful in 10 patients, which yielded an overall success rate of 92.0% (mean successful delivered energy [transesophageal and transthoracic] of 85.3 +/- 7.8 J). All episodes of atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia were successfully terminated with the use of the esophagus. This esophageal electrode system permits low-energy countershock of atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Regional Medical Cardiology Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: McKeown
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Croal
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adgey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D004566:Electrodes; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome