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).
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
Xiao Hua
XH
Guo
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mark_m_gallagher@hotmail.com.
Mark Michael
MM
Gallagher
Department of Community Health Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
John Martin
JM
Bland
Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
A John
AJ
Camm
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