Transesophageal echocardiographic evidence of more pronounced left atrial stunning after chemical (propafenone) rather than electrical attempts at cardioversion from atrial fibrillation.
We studied left atrial function in 55 patients undergoing electrical (n = 23) or chemical (intravenous administration of propafenone, n = 32) attempts at cardioversion from atrial fibrillation. Chemical attempts at cardioversion revealed a significant increase in spontaneous echo contrast and a significant decrease in left atrial appendage Doppler flow, even in patients who did not have successful conversion to sinus rhythm.
Antonielli
E
E
Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale SS. Annunziata, Savigliano, Italy. a.pizzuti@iol.it
Pizzuti
A
A
Bassignana
A
A
Tanga
M
M
Baralis
G
G
Rovere
M E
ME
Di Leo
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011405:Propafenone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011405:Propafenone