title: Transesophageal echocardiography for early cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Exclusion of thrombi in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) has important implications for early cardioversion. Cardioversion guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a safe and relatively cost-effective technique with a high accuracy for detecting left-atrial thrombi. Nowadays, TEE-guided cardioversion may help to select patients suitable for early cardioversion. However, the long-term effect of early TEE-guided cardioversion on the maintenance of sinus rhythm needs to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Medical Center Vrije Universiteit, Department of Cardiology and Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kamp
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Verhorst
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants