P wave amplitude and duration may predict immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation after internal cardioversion.
BACKGROUND
Although internal cardioversion (IC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is effective at restoring sinus rhythm, immediate recurrence (IR) of AF after IC is a major and largely unpredictable clinical problem. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of P wave duration and amplitude in prediction of IR of AF after IC. Forty-five consecutive patients undergoing IC for chronic AF were evaluated.


METHODS
After successful IC, 1-minute ECG recording was obtained in all patients. P wave duration and amplitude in Lead II and V1 were measured using computer. Forty patients (88%) had successful IC. Thirteen patients experienced IR of AF within 1 minute of restoring sinus rhythm.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result, the incidence of IR of AF after IC was higher in the patients with shorter P wave amplitude (for lead II P<0.01, for V1 P<0.01) and larger P wave duration (for lead II P<0.01, for V1 P<0.05).
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D017211:Treatment Failure