Evaluation of a protocol to select patients of all ages for cardioversion from atrial fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
to audit the success of a decision protocol to select patients for cardioversion from atrial fibrillation or flutter by recording the success of cardioversion and the maintenance of sinus rhythm over a 2-year period.


METHODS
retrospective case notes review.


METHODS
a teaching hospital coronary care unit and cardiology department.


METHODS
227 consecutive patients were considered for cardioversion from atrial fibrillation or flutter from 1989 to 1992; 128 fulfilled the selection criteria.


METHODS
successful cardioversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion.


RESULTS
116 (91%) patients selected by application of the guidelines were successfully cardioverted. The probabilities of maintaining sinus rhythm at 6, 12 and 24 months were 0.92, 0.88 and 0.73 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
careful selection of patients in atrial fibrillation identifies a group in whom cardioversion is likely to be safe and successful regardless of age.
Lawson-Matthew
P J
PJ
Department of Cardiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Ionescu
A
A
McHugh
P
P
Channer
K S
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000628:therapy*; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005424:Flecainide