[Low energy transcatheter atrial defibrillation in one patient with refractory atrial fibrillation].
Most cases of atrial fibrillation are converted with antiarrhythmic medications or external electric defibrillation. However, in some refractory patients, an internal transcatheter defibrillation must be attempted. We report a 50 years old male with an atrial fibrillation of one year duration that was refractory to pharmacological treatment and in whom external cardioversion was unsuccessful. After the application of a bifasic shock of 10 joules between a catheter in the right atrium and another one located at the coronary sinus, the patient was converted to sinus rhythm. At two months of follow up, the patient continues in sinus rhythm.
Asenjo
R
R
Centro Nacional de Arritmias, Hospital Clínico U. de Chile.
Morris
R
R
Llancaqueo
M
M
Lopetegui
M
M
Marín
G
G
Morales
P
P
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged