Risk for clinical thromboembolism associated with conversion to sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours.
BACKGROUND
It has been assumed that cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours is associated with a low risk for thromboembolism. However, no clinical data support this assumption.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of cardioversion-related clinical thromboembolism among patients presenting with atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours.


METHODS
Patients were prospectively identified on admission, and clinical data on the duration of atrial fibrillation were recorded. Data on cardioversion and thromboembolism were obtained retrospectively from hospital and outpatient records.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
1822 consecutive patients admitted to the hospital for atrial fibrillation were screened. Three hundred seventy-five adults (mean age +/- SD, 68 +/- 16 years) with atrial fibrillation that had lasted less than 48 hours were identified. One hundred eighty-one patients (48.3%) had a history of atrial fibrillation; 23 (6.1%) had a history of thromboembolism.


RESULTS
357 patients (95.2%) converted to sinus rhythm during the index admission; spontaneous conversion occurred in 250 patients (66.7%) and active pharmacologic or electrical conversion was done in 107 patients (28.5%). Three patients (0.8% [95% CI, 0.2% to 2.4%]), all of whom had converted spontaneously after ventricular rate control was begun, had a clinical thromboembolic event: One had a stroke, 1 had a transient ischemic attack, and 1 had a peripheral embolus. None of these 3 patients had a history of atrial fibrillation or thromboembolism, and all had normal left ventricular systolic function.


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients presenting with atrial fibrillation that was clinically estimated to have lasted less than 48 hours, the likelihood of cardioversion-related clinical thromboembolism is low. These data support the current recommendation for early cardioversion in these patients.
Weigner
M J
MJ
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Caulfield
T A
TA
Danias
P G
PG
Silverman
D I
DI
Manning
W J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin