The use of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin for short-term antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography-guided cardioversion: assessment of Cardioversion Using Transoesophageal Echocardiography (ACUTE) II randomized multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the feasibility and safety of transoesophageal echocardiograpy-guided cardioversion (CV) with enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).


RESULTS
The Assessment of Cardioversion Using Transoesophageal Echocardiography (ACUTE) II pilot trial compared the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin with UFH in 155 patients with AF who were scheduled for transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided CV. Safety outcomes over a 5-week period were ischaemic stroke, major or minor bleeding, and death. Efficacy outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and return to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Of the 76 patients assigned to the enoxaparin group, 72 (94.7%) had a transoesophageal echocardiogram and 63 (82.9%) had early CV, of which 59 (93.7%) were successful. Of the 79 UFH patients, 66 (83.5%) had a transoesophageal echocardiogram and 58 (73.4%) had early CV, of which 54 (98.2%) were successful. There were no significant differences in embolic events, bleeding, or deaths between groups. The enoxaparin group had shorter median LOS compared with the UFH group [3(2-4) vs. 4(3-5)] days; P<0.0001). There was also more NSR at 5 weeks in the enoxaparin group (76 vs. 57%; P=0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
In the ACUTE II trial, there were no differences in safety outcomes between the two strategies. However, the enoxaparin group had a shorter LOS. Thus, the TEE-guided enoxaparin strategy may be considered a safe and effective alternative strategy for AF. The shorter LOS may translate to lower costs using the enoxaparin TEE-guided approach.
Klein
Allan L
AL
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Scalfe Hall S-563, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. kleina@ccf.org
Jasper
Susan E
SE
Katz
William E
WE
Malouf
Joseph F
JF
Pape
Linda A
LA
Stoddard
Marcus F
MF
Apperson-Hansen
Carolyn
C
Lieber
Elizabeth A
EA
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D017984:Enoxaparin; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin