Early experience of nurse-led elective DC cardioversion.
Direct current (DC) cardioversion is an established therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. In this observational study 88 patients (59 [67%] male) were admitted as day cases to a short-stay ward for elective cardioversion, of whom 74 (88%) were referred for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, 12 (14%) for atrial flutter and two (2%) for atrial tachycardia. 40 (54%) of patients with atrial fibrillation were initially converted to sinus rhythm by DC shock, although 3 (7% of this group) reverted to atrial fibrillation during the recovery period. Nurse-led, day case elective cardioversion on an elective ward appears to offer a safe alternative to CCU admission.
Quinn
T
T
University of Birmingham.
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000628:therapy*; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000379:methods; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016896:Treatment Outcome