Prospective assessment of the minimum energy needed for external electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
This study demonstrates that shocks <200 J often are effective for transthoracic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). Lower energy shocks are more likely to be effective when the AF is <24 hours in duration or in patients with idiopathic AF.
Ricard
P
P
University of Marseille, School of Medicine, France.
Lévy
S
S
Trigano
J
J
Paganelli
F
F
Daoud
E
E
Man
K C
KC
Strickberger
S A
SA
Morady
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies