A distinctly bimodal distribution pattern in the RR interval histogram predicts early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion.
Abnormal AV nodal behaviour could contribute to recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) after electrical cardioversion (ECV). We constructed RR interval histograms from 24-hour ECGs recorded before ECV in 98 patients with persistent AF. RR histograms were classified as unimodal or bimodal, and bimodal histograms classified into distinctly or indistinctly bimodal. At 1 week after ECV, 52 patients (53%) were in AF and at one-month 66 (67%) were in AF. A bimodal RR interval distribution during AF was found in 17 patients (18%), a distinctly bimodal RR histogram in 8 of these (47%). Compared to those with indistinct bimodality, patients with a distinctly bimodal RR histogram were more likely to have AF at one-week and one-month (88 vs. 33%, 100 vs. 33%, p=0.01, p=0.009, respectively).
Guo
Xiao Hua
XH
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
Gallagher
Mark Michael
MM
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mark_m_gallagher@hotmail.com.
Bland
John Martin
JM
Department of Community Health Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
Camm
A John
AJ
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000639:trends; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome