Direct current cardioversion does not cause cardiac damage: evidence from cardiac troponin T estimation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether elective direct current (dc) cardioversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter causes myocardial damage.


RESULTS
Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase were estimated 20-28 hours after dc cardioversion in 51 patients who received dc shocks for elective cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation/flutter. Although creatine kinase was raised in 44 patients, cardiac troponin T was undetectable in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac damage does not occur as a result of cardioversion.
Rao
A C
AC
Department of Cardiology, Mayday University Hospital, Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Naeem
N
N
John
C
C
Collinson
P O
PO
Canepa-Anson
R
R
Joseph
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D020107:Troponin T; D003402:Creatine Kinase