title: Transesophageal echocardiographic evidence of more pronounced left atrial stunning after chemical (propafenone) rather than electrical attempts at cardioversion from atrial fibrillation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale SS. Annunziata, Savigliano, Italy. a.pizzuti@iol.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antonielli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizzuti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bassignana
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baralis
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rovere
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Leo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011405:Propafenone