Amiodarone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation

The efficacy and safety of amiodarone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation was examined by reviewing the trials on the subject identified through a comprehensive literature search. Amiodarone has been used both intravenously (i.v.) and orally for the pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Intravenous amiodarone has been used as a bolus only or as a bolus followed by a continuous i.v. infusion until conversion or up to 24 h. The dose of i.v. bolus given ranged from 3 to 7 mg/kg body weight and that of infusion from 900 to 3000 mg/day. The efficacy reported is 34-69% with the bolus only regimens, and 55-95% with the bolus followed by infusion regimens. Only the higher dose (>1500 mg/day) amiodarone is superior to placebo in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. The highest 24-h conversion rates have been reported with the i.v. regimen of 125 mg/h until conversion or a maximum of 3 g and the oral regimen of 25-30 mg/kg body weight administered as a single loading-dose (>90% and >85%, respectively). Most of the conversions occur after 6-8 h of the initiation of therapy. Predictors of successful conversion are shorter duration of atrial fibrillation, smaller left atrial size, and higher amiodarone dose. Amiodarone is not superior to the other antiarrhythmic drugs conventionally used for the pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation but is relatively safe in patients with structural heart disease and in those with depressed left ventricle function. Therefore, amiodarone could be used particularly in patients with structural heart disease and in those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction as the use of class IC drugs, propafenone and flecainide, for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is contraindicated in such patients.     

Rapid formation of left atrial appendage thrombus after unsuccessful cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

The acute effect of failed attempts of cardioversion on left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) functions are generally considered benign and no adverse effects have been reported. We report on a subject who had rapid formation of a fresh, mobile thrombus in the LAA despite unsuccessful cardioversion and therapeutic anticoagulation.     

Pre-treatment with Irbesartan attenuates left atrial stunning after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Left atrial (LA) stunning, the transient impairment of LA function, is responsible for an increased thrombo-embolic risk after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) attenuate atrial remodelling in AF and could theoretically influence LA stunning. We studied the effect of Irbesartan on LA stunning. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively assigned 50 patients from the outpatient clinic undergoing electrical cardioversion for AF with duration of >4 weeks, into two matched groups: 25 patients were treated with Irbesartan (228+/-93 mg/day) for at least 2 weeks prior to cardioversion (Irbesartan group); 25 patients did not receive ARBs (control group). The groups did not differ concerning age (64+/-13 vs. 63+/-13 years, respectively), AF duration (20+/-18 vs. 20+/-19 weeks), underlying disease, LA diameter (46+/-7 vs. 47+/-9 mm), left ventricular dimensions, and ejection fraction (47.7+/-11.6 vs. 49.7+/-14.5%). We assessed LA appendage emptying velocities (LAAEV) and LA spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) by transoesophageal echocardiography before and after cardioversion and at 2 weeks, and the A-wave by transthoracic echocardiography after cardioversion, at 2 and at 4 weeks. LA stunning was significantly attenuated in the Irbesartan group. The reduction of LAAEV immediately after cardioversion was significantly less in the Irbesartan group (LAAEV reduction of 9+/-49% from 28+/-9 cm/s before cardioversion to 25+/-13 cm/s immediately afterwards) than in the control group (reduction of 48+/-20% from 34+/-15 cm/s before cardioversion to 16+/-6 cm/s afterwards) (P = 0.048). New or increased LASEC occurred in eight patients (32%) in the Irbesartan vs. 16 patients (64%) in the control group (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Irbesartan significantly attenuates LA stunning after electrical cardioversion of AF. Therefore, ARBs may represent an important pharmacological supplementation in patients being prepared for cardioversion.     

Serial evaluation of left atrial dimension after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and relation to atrial function

The size of the left atrium is usually increased during atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in left atrial (LA) dimension after cardioversion for AF, and the relation between LA dimension and atrial function. The initial study population included 171 consecutive patients. Patients who had spontaneous cardioversion to sinus rhythm (56 patients) were compared with patients who had random cardio-version with drugs (50 patients) or direct-current (DC) shock (50 patients). Echocardiographic evaluations included LA size and volume. LA passive and active emptying volumes were calculated, and LA function was assessed. Atrial stunning was observed in 18 patients reverted with DC shock and in 7 patients reverted with drugs. The left atrium was dilated in all patients during AF (48 +/- 5 mm). The size of the left atrium decreased after restoration of sinus rhythm in all patients with spontaneous reversion to sinus rhythm, in 73% of patients reverted with drugs, and in 50% of patients reverted with DC shock. The comparison between patients with a normal mechanical atrial function and patients with reduced atrial function showed that a higher atrial ejection force was associated with a more marked reduction in LA size after restoration of sinus rhythm. A relation between LA volumes and atrial ejection force was observed in the group of patients with depressed atrial mechanical function (r = -0.78; p <0.001). The active emptying fraction was lower, although not significantly, in this group, whereas the conduit volume was increased. Thus, a depressed atrial mechanical function after cardioversion for AF was associated with a persistence of LA dilation.     

A decrease of enlarged left atrium following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation predicts the long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm

BACKGROUND: Although increased left atrial size (LA) has been long regarded as one of the factors negatively influencing the long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) following cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF), some reports suggested that CV might be effective also in patients with large LA.Aim. We sought to determine the role of LA enlargement in long-term SR maintenance after CV of persistent AF. METHODS: 104 consecutive patients (33 females, 71 males, mean age 60.4+/-7.4 years) were assigned to SR restoration and maintenance with serial antiarrhythmic drugs. Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) variables were recorded prior to CV. Generalised additive logistic regression was used to investigate the impact of LA enlargement on the long-term SR maintenance. RESULTS: SR was present in 63.5% of patients after one year of follow-up. Increased LA area >28 cm (RR 1.72; 1.09-2.71; p<0.02) and increased fractional shortening values in ranges between 26-40% (1.2; 1.01-1.44; p<0.05) were significantly associated with SR maintenance after one year. In order to determine the influence of the LA diameter on the probability of SR maintenance, we analysed mean LA(ar) values prior to and after CV. Patients with large LA(ar) (28 cm(2)) presented a significant decrease of LA size (31.45+/-3.07 cm(2) vs 28.94+/-3.81 cm(2); p<0.008) during the first 30 days after SR restoration. In the group of patients with LA(ar) 28 cm(2) we noted decrease in LA size by 2.57+/-3.2 cm(2), whereas in patients with a smaller LA volume this decrease was significantly lower, being 0.47+/-2.9 cm(2) (p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: LA enlargement does not preclude a favourable outcome after CV of AF. The decrease in LA area occurring during 30 days following CV favours long term SR maintenance.     

Comparison of left atrial volume and function after linear ablation and after cardioversion for chronic atrial fibrillation

Several techniques for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been developed, including the direct placement of radiofrequency for lesions at open heart surgery. Detailed evaluation of left atrial (LA) function has not been performed after these procedures and has not been compared in patients with chronic AF. We compared the atrial function of patients with sustained sinus rhythm (SR) after linear ablation with a group who underwent direct-current cardioversion and a group of normal controls to investigate the measurable deleterious effects, if any, on atrial function after the surgical procedure. Twenty-one consecutive patients who had maintained SR for >6 months after a linear radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) procedure were studied. As control subjects, we examined 33 patients with chronic AF successfully restored to SR by cardioversion who maintained SR for >6 months and 42 age-matched normal subjects. LA function was decreased in both the LRFA and cardioverted AF groups compared with normal controls. The parameters of LA function, atrial fraction, LA ejection fraction, and the A' velocity were lowest in the LRFA group, intermediate in the cardioverted AF group, and highest in the normal controls (LA function: 15.8 +/- 10%, 26 +/- 10%, 33 +/- 7%; p = 0.0001; LA ejection fraction: 31 +13%, 41 +/- 12%, 51 +/- 9%; p = 0.0001; A' velocity: 4.2 +/- 1.4, 7.6 +/- 2.2, 9.5 +/- 1.9 cm/s; p = 0.0001). LA volumes were increased in the LRFA and cardioverted AF groups compared with normals (62.8 +/- 22 vs 70.6 +/- 17 vs 38.7 +/- 9.8 ml; p = 0.0001). Thus, although LA function is restored and maintained after LRFA has been performed during open heart surgery, LRFA use is associated with a measurable decrease in LA function over and above that found after conventional cardioversion.     

Flutter localized to the anterior left atrium after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: Organized atrial arrhythmias following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation are typically due to recovered pulmonary vein (PV) conduction or reentry at incomplete ablation lines. We describe the role of nonablated anterior left atrium (LA) in arrhythmias observed after AF ablation. METHODS: A total of 275 consecutive patients with paroxysmal (n = 200) or chronic (n = 75) AF had PV isolation with/without additional linear ablation at the mitral isthmus (n = 106), LA roof (n = 23), or both (n = 88). Organized arrhythmias occurring after ablation were evaluated utilizing activation and entrainment mapping. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (11 female, 65 +/- 13 years, 10 chronic AF, 10 structural heart disease) demonstrated tachycardia localized to the anterior LA, an area not targeted by prior ablation. Eight had ECG features during sinus rhythm suggestive of impaired anterior LA conduction at baseline. These arrhythmias demonstrated a distinctive ECG flutter morphology in 7 of 10 (70%) with discrete -/+ or +/-/+ aspect in inferior leads. Mapping the anterior LA revealed electrograms spanning the entire tachycardia cycle length (325 +/- 125 msec). Entrainment was possible in all with a postpacing interval exceeding the tachycardia cycle length by 9 +/- 10 msec. Electroanatomic mapping in 6 demonstrated small reentrant circuits rotating clockwise in 4 and counterclockwise in 2. Low-amplitude, fractionated mid-diastolic potentials with long duration (200 +/- 80 msec) occupying 63 +/- 22% of the cycle length were targeted for ablation resulting in termination and subsequent noninducibility. CONCLUSION: Organized arrhythmias occurring after AF ablation can be due to reentrant circuits localized to the anterior LA, predominantly in females with chronic AF, structural heart disease, and abnormal atrial conduction. They are characterized by a distinctive surface ECG and highly responsive to RF ablation at the slow conduction area.     

Factors predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion

BACKGROUND: Factors predicting the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been well defined. Little is known about the impact of the recovery of the left atrial mechanical function (RLAMF) on AF recurrences. AIM: To identify the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of AF recurrences after cardioversion. METHODS: Of 112 consecutive patients (39 females, 73 males, mean age 62.1+/-10.6 years) with AF who underwent successful electrical or pharmacological cardioversion, 50 maintained SR during 6 month follow-up whereas the remaining 62 had a recurrence of AF. Clinical examination and 2D Doppler echocardiography were performed. From the Doppler mitral flow, RLAMF was evaluated 1, 7, and 21 days after cardioversion. RESULTS: Patients with or without AF recurrence did not differ with respect to age, gender, aetiology, duration of AF, LA size and ejection fraction. In the univariate analysis the lack of RLAMF detected 1 day after cardioversion (relative risk - RR=1.15, p<0.01), functional NYHA class II or III (RR=1.86, p<0.005) and a history of AF episodes (RR=2.02, p相似文献   

心房颤动电转复后左心耳顿抑的预测因子

目的研究非瓣膜病心房颤动(房颤)患者中,心脏电转复后左心耳顿抑的危险因素与预测因子.方法 68例房颤电转复成功患者,分为左心耳顿抑组与对照组,通过单因素及多元逐步逻辑回归分析,将临床和超声影像学指标作为待选变量,对电转复后左心耳顿抑的危险因素进行研究.结果单因素分析发现,左心耳顿抑组与对照组间差异有统计学意义的指标有房颤持续时间[(10.6±15.6)周vs(22.0±20.1)周,P＜0.05]、左心房内径[(43.8±7.7)mm vs(48.5±6.2)mm,P＜0.01)]、左心房排空分数[(0.32±0.08)vs(0.27±0.09),P＜0.05]、左心室射血分数[(0.50±0.06)vs(0.46±0.06),P＜0.01]、最大复律能量[(96.8±65.8)J vs(156.8±100.8)J,P＜0.01]、累积转复能量[(146.8±142.6)J vs(290.5±242.1)J,P＜0.01]和电转复次数[(1.7±0.9)次vs(2.4±1.2)次,P＜0.05].多元逐步逻辑回归分析发现,房颤持续时间(β＝0.105,P＜0.01)、左心房内径(β＝0.196,P＜0.01)、左心室射血分数(β＝-20.549,P＜0.01)、转复累积能量(β＝0.004,P＜0.05)是左心耳顿抑的独立危险因素.结论房颤持续时间、左心房内径、左心室射血分数和累积复律能量是房颤电转复后左心耳顿抑的独立预测因子.     

Time course of recovery of left atrial mechanical dysfunction after cardioversion of spontaneous atrial fibrillation with the implantable atrial defibrillator

The effect of the timing of cardioversion of atrial fibrillation on left atrial mechanical function was studied in 11 patients treated with the implantable atrial defibrillator. Results of this study suggested that prompt cardioversion of spontaneous episodes of atrial fibrillation within 48 hours after onset was associated with early resolution of left atrial mechanical dysfunction seen after cardioversion.     

普罗帕酮转复山羊持续性心房颤动过程中左上肺静脉和左房外膜电图的变化

目的研究普罗帕酮转复心房颤动(简称房颤)时左上肺静脉(LSPV)和左房(LA)外膜电图的变化,分析普罗帕酮转复房颤的可能机制。方法在6只山羊的LA前壁及LSPV根部外膜缝合电极片,LA快速刺激诱发房颤,在房颤自发维持超过24h后,静脉滴注普罗帕酮直至房颤终止。分析用药前、后房颤波周长(AFCL)分别延长40,80ms和房颤转复前各16s的间期内,LSPV和LA外膜电图的变化规律。结果6只山羊在经过静脉滴注普罗帕酮后,全部转复为窦性心律。用药前的LSPV的AFCL显著短于LA(P<0.05);用药后LSPV和LA的AFCL都出现逐渐延长,在房颤转复前两者趋于一致。用药前LSPV双电位和碎裂电位的百分比显著高于LA,单电位比例显著低于LA(P<0.05);用药后,LA和LSPV单电位百分比逐渐增加,双电位和碎裂电位逐渐减少,但在LA双电位和碎裂电位的比例始终小于LSPV(P<0.05);在房颤终止前LA先于LSPV出现双电位和碎裂电位的显著减少或消失,当LSPV的双电位和碎裂电位消失后房颤才终止。结论在本模型中,普罗帕酮对左房、肺静脉电生理的影响在房颤的转复过程中起着重要的作用。     

C反应蛋白对心房颤动药物复律后复发的远期预测价值

目的研究基线C反应蛋白(CRP)水平与心房颤动(简称房颤)药物复律后远期复发之间的关系。方法 71例持续性房颤患者使用胺碘酮复律,并且接受胺碘酮维持窦性节律的治疗,复律成功43例。根据基线CRP水平将复律成功的43例分为2组(0~4 mg/L组、≥4 mg/L组)。随访观察3年后,了解基线CRP水平与房颤复发间的关系。结果随访期内,有32(74.7%)例房颤复发。CRP 0~4 mg/L组,有12(12/21,57.1%)例房颤复发,CRP水平≥4 mg/L组有20例(20/22,90.9%)房颤复发,两组比较差异有显著性(P0.05)。Cox相关分析表明CRP基线水平与房颤复发相关(风险比6.09;95%可信区间3.15~12.60)。结论在预测房颤药物复律后房颤复发上,基线CRP水平可能有预测价值。