title: Electric cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Electrical cardioversion (EC) has been performed for atrial fibrillation (AF) for over 40 years. EC is safe, effective and reliable method for aborting AF especially in unstable situations. Numerous technical and patient characteristics contribute to the success of EC. Recently various developments in this field and newer antiarrhythmic agents have lead to substantial evolution of this procedure. We review the current clinical applications, and techniques.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, USA. nusairm@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Maen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nusair
authors.forename: Greg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Flaker
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chockalingam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D012008:Recurrence