title: Peak Early Diastolic Transmitral Velocity As A Surrogate Marker Of Short-Term Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Electrical Cardioversion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess if peak early diastolic transmitral velocity (E-wave) can be used as a surrogate marker of short-term atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively studied 57 consecutive patients who underwent electrical cardioversion (ECV) for AF and successfully converted to sinus rhythm. N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide levels (BNP) before and after ECV was measured in all patients. The follow-up included physical examination and a 12-lead electrocardiogram 14 days and one month after the ECV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 42.1% patients AF recurred during one-month follow-up period. Gender, presence of mitral regurgitation, treatment with angiotensin II receptor blocker and left atrium diameter independently influenced E-wave velocity before ECV. E-wave velocity fell immediately after successful ECV (94.0±27 cm/s vs 79.7±23 cm/s, P<0.0001). E-wave velocity before ECV>94 cm/s and E-wave velocity after ECV >80 cm/s were predictors of one-month AF recurrence [(Hazard Ratio) HR=3.62 with 95% CI=1.49-8.78 and HR=3.76 with 95% CI=1.40-10.10, respectively]. E-wave velocity before and E-wave velocity after ECV remained predictors of AF recurrence but only in non-hypertensive patients (HR=1.01 with 95% C.I=1.01-1.03 and HR=1.03 with 95% C.I=1.01-1.06, respectively). Similarly, BNP levels before and after ECV were associated with an increased the risk of AF recurrence (HR=1.14 with 95% C.I 1.01-1.28 and HR= 1.16 with 95% C.I 1.03- 1.31, respectively). The addition of BNP levels to E-wave velocity before ECV appeared to have incremental value on short-term AF recurrence but at a marginally statistical significance (LR chi2=3.28, p=0.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-wave velocity before and after ECV appears to be a marker of short-term recurrence of AF.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece; Cardiology Department, Attikon University hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Varounis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Themistoklis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maounis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece; Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dennis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; BNP; Transmitral Pattern