Reversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation by internal cardioversion followed by biatrial pacing

Patients in atrialfibrillation (AF) who fail external cardioversion are usually regarded as in permanent AF. Internal cardioversion may revert many such patients into sinus rhythm (SR) but the majority relapse rapidly into AF. We investigated whether internal cardioversion followed by biatrial pacing is an effective to restore and subsequently maintain SR in patients with permanent AF. Patients in permanent AF underwent internal cardioversion that was followed by biatrial temporary pacing for 48 hours. Those who remained in SR received a permanent biatrial pacemaker programmed to a rate responsive mode with a lower rate 90 beats/min. Primary end point of the study included maintenance in SR 3 months after internal cardioversion. Sixteen patients (14 men, 57 +/- 11 years) were cardioverted. The median duration of AF was 24 months (quartiles, Q1 = 8.5 and Q3 = 102) and mean left atrium diameter was 48 +/- 04 mm. A permanent biatrial pacemaker was implanted in 11 patients. At a mean fallow-up of 15 months (range 4 to 24), 8 patients remained in SR for more than 3 months. AF was eliminated in 5 patients, while in two a second internal cardioversion on amiodarone was required. Antiarrhythmic therapy was used in half of our population and did not predict the long-term maintenance of SR. Following internal cardioversion with continuous biatrial pacing, 50% of patients with permanent AF were maintained for prolonged periods in SR. This is a new modality of treatment of permanent AF directed to the maintenance of SR that provides a further therapeutic option in end-stage AF.     

Comparison of Surgical Cut and Sew versus Radiofrequency Pulmonary Veins Isolation for Chronic Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Study

Background: Surgical pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) is done to restore sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with chronic permanent atrial fibrillation (CPAF) and mitral valve disease. Here we compare the efficacy of electrical block lines performed with radiofrequency (RF) compared with conventional surgery. Methods: Randomized trial of 22 patients with CPAF and indication for mitral valve surgery. Ten patients underwent conventional surgery (SURG) and 12 RF. To prove the efficacy of the blockage lines, epicardial pacemaker wires were placed in the isolated pulmonary veins region (IPVR) and right atria (RA). Results: There were no differences in the baseline data among the groups. All patients remained in SR during the immediate postoperative period. Block lines were tested in patients who remained in SR during the following days (eight in SURG and nine in RF). The median value of thresholds to conduct the stimulus of IPVR for the RA was 18 mA in SURG and 3 mA in RF (P < 0.022). Eight SURG patients and seven RF patients (P < 0.38) remained in SR at hospital discharge. Eleven RF patients and one SURG required amiodarone to maintain SR (P < 0.001). The incidence of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) in the follow‐up was 10.7/100 patients/year in the SURG group versus 73.1/100 patients/year in the RF group (P = 0.009). Conclusions: PVI by SURG formed more effective block lines than RF. SR at hospital discharge was similar among the groups, but more amiodarone was used in RF. During follow‐up, incidence of recurrent AF was higher in the RF group. (PACE 2010; 33:1249–1257)     

Reverse electrical remodeling of the atria post cardioversion in patients who remain in sinus rhythm assessed by signal averaging of the P-wave

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine whether the signal-averaged electrocardiogram of the P-wave (SAPW) is an independent predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) post cardioversion (CV), and to assess atrial remodeling using SAPW. BACKGROUND: There are limited electrophysiologic data to predict the recurrence of AF post-CV. The electrical remodeling that occurs post-CV is poorly understood. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with persistent AF undergoing CV were prospectively enrolled. SAPW parameters were measured the day of CV and repeated at 1 month. These SAPW parameters were compared to other baseline indices for the recurrence of AF. RESULTS: Sixty patients (94%) had successful CV. At 1 month, 22 (37%) maintained sinus rhythm (SR). The SAPW total duration decreased significantly in those who remained in SR (159 ms +/- 19 to 146 ms +/- 17; P < 0.0001). Only the duration of AF (46 +/- 50 days vs 147 +/- 227 days, P = 0.03) and the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 12% vs 65%, P = 0.0006) were significantly associated with recurrence of AF. Atrial size strongly correlated with the SAPW duration in patients who remained in SR (R(2)= 0.67, P = 0.003) but not in those who returned to AF (R(2)= 0.11, P = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial electrical reverse remodeling occurs in patients with AF who maintain SR post-CV. This remodeling is likely inversely related to the duration of AF and LVH. SAPW duration does not predict recurrence of AF post-CV.     

High Accuracy of Automatic Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Using Wavelet Transform of Heart Rate Intervals

DUVERNEY, D., et al. : High Accuracy of Automatic Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Using Wavelet Transform of Heart Rate Intervals. Permanent and paroxysmal AF is a risk factor for the occurrence and the recurrence of stroke, which can occur as its first manifestation. However, its automatic identification is still unsatisfactory. In this study, a new mathematical approach was evaluated to automate AF identification. A derivation set of 30 24-hour Holter recordings, 15 with chronic AF (CAF) and 15 with sinus rhythm (SR), allowed the authors to establish specific RR variability characteristics using wavelet and fractal analysis. Then, a validation set of 50 subjects was studied using these criteria, 19 with CAF, 16 with SR, and 15 with paroxysmal AF (PAF); and each QRS was classified as true or false sinus or AF beat. In the SR group, specificity reached 99.9%; in the CAF group, sensitivity reached 99.2%; in the PAF group, sensitivity reached 96.1%, and specificity 92.6%. However, classification on a patient basis provided a sensitivity of 100%. This new approach showed a high sensitivity and a high specificity for automatic AF detection, and could be used in screening for AF in large populations at risk.     

Intravenous amiodarone for acute pharmacological conversion of atrial fibrillation in the emergency department

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Pharmacological conversion of atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) may be a feasible management strategy in selected patients. Recent guidelines have recommended intravenous amiodarone, a class III antiarrhythmic agent, for the conversion of AF to NSR. The purpose of this review is to examine the published evidence for the efficacy of IV amiodarone for the acute conversion of AF to NSR in the ED. Currently available data from 11 randomized, controlled trials and 3 meta analyses do not support the use of conventional doses of IV amiodarone for acute conversion in the ED. High dose IV or combined IV and oral administration may be effective as early as 8 hours in patients with recent-onset AF of <48 hour duration in patients without contraindications to these high dose regimens. There are no data to support the use of IV amiodarone for acute conversion in patients with an ejection fraction of <40% or clinical heart failure, so its use in these scenarios should be limited to symptomatic patients who are refractory to electrical conversion. More well-designed studies are required to determine the role of IV amiodarone for the acute conversion of AF in the ED.     

Termination of long-lasting persistent versus short-lasting persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by ablation

Background: Left atrial (LA) structures for the maintenance of different atrial fibrillation (AF) forms are not uniform. The incidence, electrophysiological patterns, and LA sites of sinus rhythm (SR) restoration during ablation of different AF forms were evaluated. Methods: One hundred patients with long‐lasting persistent AF were retrospectively compared to 35 patients with short‐lasting persistent AF and 59 patients with a sustained episode of paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent a first ablation using a stepwise ablation approach with the endpoint of SR restoration by ablation. Results: SR was restored in 38%, 83%, and 97% of patients with long‐lasting persistent, short‐lasting persistent, and paroxysmal AF, respectively (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF; P = 0.02 for long‐lasting persistent vs short‐lasting persistent AF). When modes and sites of SR restoration were evaluated among the patients with long‐lasting persistent, short‐lasting persistent, and paroxysmal AF, SR was restored via conversion into LA tachycardia in 79%, 52%, and 4% of patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF); by the pulmonary vein encircling in 8%, 24%, and 93% patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF); and by ablation at the LA anterior wall or inside the coronary sinus in 66%, 45%, and 2% patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent and paroxysmal AF). During the 31 ± 14 month follow‐up since the first ablation, of the 50 patients with long‐term SR maintenance (38 patients free of class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs), SR was restored by ablation in 29 (58%) patients versus nine (18%) patients out of 50 patients with unsuccessful clinical outcome (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Ablation of long‐lasting persistent AF was characterized by more frequent failure to restore SR, and predominant conversion into LA tachycardia prior to SR restoration, and SR restoration by ablation outside the LA posterior wall. SR restoration by ablation was associated with better clinical outcome in these patients.     

Implementation of Elastography Score and Strain Ratio in Combination with B-Mode Ultrasound Avoids Unnecessary Biopsies of Breast Lesions

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of B-mode ultrasound, elastography score (ES) and strain ratio (SR) improves diagnostic performance with respect to breast lesions. One hundred thirty lesions were prospectively evaluated by B-mode ultrasound and strain elastography, followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology/biopsy in 117 woman who were scheduled for regular breast BUS. The median ES (4.5 vs. 2.9, p < 0.001) and SR (4.9 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001) were significantly higher for malignant than for benign lesions. A sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 93.2% for the ES (cutoff point = 3.8) and a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 87.6% for the SR (cutoff point = 3.5) were obtained. Elastography combined with B-mode ultrasound improved the specificity, accuracy and positive predictive value. Receiver operating characteristic curves yielded a higher value for the combined technique for diagnosis of breast lesions. Routine use of such a diagnostic algorithm could reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.     

Low Energy Internal Atrial Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation Lasting More Than a Year

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low energy internal atrial cardioversion in restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) persisting > 1 year. Fifteen patients with chronic AF lasting > 1 year (from 13–48 months, mean 24 ± 13 months) were studied. R wave synchronized 3/3 ms biphasic shocks were delivered between right atrial and coronary sinus (left pulmonary artery in five patients) electrodes. Sedatives or anesthetics were administered only at the patient's request. Results: Stable SR was restored in 14 (93%)of 15 patients after shocks with a mean leading edge voltage of 377 ± 77 V (range 260–500) and a mean delivered energy of 7.3 ± 3.4 J (range 2.6–12.9). The procedure was performed without anesthesia in 6 (40%) patients. All successfully cardioverted patients were treated with flecainide, sotalol, or amiodarone. During a follow up of 7.7 ± 7.9 months (range 1–24) AF recurred in five (36%) patients. Three of five AF recurrences occurred within 3 days after conversion to SR. Conclusion: Internal low energy atrial cardioversion is highly effective in restoring SR even in patients with AF lasting > 1 year. The long-term results from the standpoint of freedom from AF recurrences, are satisfactory, although additional antiarrhythmic treatment is required, particularly in the first days after conversion.     

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation is Associated with Inability to Recover Atrial Contractility after MAZE IV Surgery in Rheumatic Disease

Background: MAZE IV surgery is effective in restoring sinus rhythm (SR) and atrial contraction (AC) in patients with nonrheumatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is less information on its effectiveness to restore AC in patients with rheumatic disease. Aims: To assess the effectiveness of the MAZE IV surgery in restoring AC in patients with rheumatic disease and long persistent AF. Methods: Prospective, consecutive study in patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery and had long persistent AF in whom MAZE IV surgery was performed. The presence of AC was assessed by lateral mitral annulus tissue Doppler. Results: A total of 75 patients were included. Mean age 60 years (±11.7); 27 men (36%). AF duration was 63 months (±34.1). Primary indication for surgery: rheumatic mitral stenosis 67 patients and mitral insufficiency eight patients. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 51.8% (±12.1) and mean left atrial area was 37 cm(2) (±10.3). After a mean follow-up of 28 months (±9.3), 69 patients remained alive and 59 were in SR. AC was detected in 37.3% (Group A) and absent in 62.7% (Group B). The mean difference between groups was the high prevalence of AF longer than 5 years in group B (P = 0.000001). There were no differences related to left atrial size, LVEF, and age. Conclusions: In patients with rheumatic disease, the absence of correlation between SR recovery and AC recovery post MAZE IV surgery is significant. A history of long persistent AF lasting more than 5 years was a strong predictor for the absence of AC. (PACE 2012; 35:999-1004).     

Electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation: acute and long-term results stratified according to arrhythmia duration

Background: Current definition of persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) enrolls a heterogeneous population with different atrial fibrillation (AF) exposure and degree of atrial substrate. Study aims were to evaluate acute and long-term results of electrical cardioversion (ECV) and to identify temporal cutoff of previous AF exposure to reclassify PAF in subgroups with different chance of sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance. Methods: Five hundred twenty-one patients (66% men; age 69 ± 10 years) with PAF undergoing ECV, were divided in four groups according to AF duration at the time of ECV: group A with AF ≤2 months (141 patients); group B with AF >2 and ≤4 months (176 patients); group C with AF >4 and ≤6 months (89 patients); and group D with AF >6 months and <1 year (115 patients). Results: There was no difference in term of acute success among groups (98.5% vs 97.1% vs 98.9% vs 96.5%, respectively, P = 0.95). At 5-year follow-up, 198 (41%) patients were in SR: 50% in group A, 44% in group B, 42% in group C, and 25% in group D (P < 0.001). At the multivariate analysis, previous ECV (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, P < 0.001), left atrium enlargement (HR 1.39, P = 0.013), and AF duration >6 months at time of procedure (HR 1.59, P = 0.001) independently predict ECV failure. Conclusion: ECV is associated with high acute success rate and low complications rate. Long-term results are strongly related with AF duration at time of ECV: a cutoff of >6 months helps in selecting patients that can take greater advantage of the procedure. (PACE 2012; 35:1126-1134).     

胺碘酮转复心房颤动的疗效分析

目的观察重叠应用静脉及口服胺碘酮治疗并发于器质性心脏病的心房颤动的临床疗效及安全性。方法39例心房颤动患者先给予静脉负荷量胺碘酮(150~300 mg)后,继之以0.6 mg/min静脉点滴维持48 h;同时口服胺碘酮治疗,2周内给胺碘酮负荷量7 g,然后维持量0.2 g/d。观察临床疗效及不良反应。结果32例(82.1%)患者成功转复为窦性心律,于2 h、2~24 h、24~48 h、2~7 d转复率分别为12.8%、28.2%、23.1%、18.0%。未转复组患者左房径大于转复组(P<0.05),而射血分数明显低于转复组(P<0.05),这可能是7例患者未转复的原因。2例患者用药后出现窦性心动过缓,1例出现恶心、腹胀,经减药后恢复。结论静脉及口服胺碘酮治疗并发于器质性心脏病的心房颤动是有效且较安全的方法。     

Regular Ventricular Rhythms Before Conversion of Recent Onset Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm

The incidence of fast atrial tachycardias with regular ventricular rhythm was assessed in a population of 243 patients with recent onset (< 72 hours) atrial fibrillation (AF), without heart failure, randomly treated with single loading oral dose of propafenone (600 mg), flecainide (300 mg), digoxin (1 mg), or placebo for acute conversion to sinus rhythm (SR). Fast atrial arrhythmias developed in 14 (6%) patients: 6/92 treated with propafenone, 3/34 treated with flecainide, 1/25 treated with digoxin, and 4/ 92 who received placebo (P = NS). Heart rate > 175 beats/min with 1:1 AV conduction ensued in 4 cases: 2 treated with flecainide and 2 treated with placebo; in the other cases 2:1 AV conduction was observed. Widening of QRS during regular tachycardia was observed in 4 patients; 3 who received propafenone and 1 who received flecainide. Conversion to SR within 4 hours was achieved in 55/92 (60%) patients treated with propafenone, 20/34 (59%) patients treated with flecainide, 7/25 (28%) patients treated with digoxin, and 19/92 (20%) treated with placebo (P < 0.001 propafenone vs placebo and flecainide vs placebo; P < 0.05 propafenone vs digoxin and flecainide vs digoxin). Periods of regular tachycardia are expected in recent onset AF and may not necessarily represent a proarrhythmic effect of Class 1C drugs, rather than mark the transition from AF to SR. Class 1C agents are probably responsible for widening of the QRS complex seen during these tachycardias. Propafenone and flecainide appear equally effective in converting recent onset AF.     

Signal-averaged P wave duration predicts early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion

Thirty-two patients had signal-averaged P wave duration measured after electrical cardioversion of AF, and were followed for 1 year or until there was a recurrence. The use of antiarrhythmic medications was left to the discretion of the attending physician. Among 20 patients not taking antiarrhythmic medication, the 11 patients who had a recurrence of AF within 3 months of cardioversion had a significantly longer signal-averaged P wave duration compared to the 9 patients who did not (148 +/- 17 vs 135 +/- 20 ms, P = 0.005). There was no difference in clinical parameters or left atrial diameter. A signal-averaged P wave duration cutoff anywhere between 130 and 135 ms correctly classified 85% of patients with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 89%. In patients taking antiarrhythmic medications, signal-averaged P wave duration did not correlate with the risk of recurrence. In patients not taking antiarrhythmic medications, signal-averaged P wave duration can be used to predict the risk of an early recurrence of AF after cardioversion. The poor predictive value in patients taking antiarrhythmics may be due to changes in the atrial refractory period, which are not reflected in P wave duration.     

An Innovative Ultrasound Strain Elastographic Method for the Differential Diagnosis of Breast Tumors

In this monocentric perspective study examining 64 lesions (19 benign and 45 malignant), we tested an innovative ultrasound elastographic method for diagnosing breast tumors. A new region of control and a new index designating the strain ratio (SR) were used. A traditional ultrasound elastographic method was used as the control. The results indicated that the SR ratios of the benign and malignant groups were 0.25 ± 0.22 and 1.10 ± 1.53, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the SR ratio method was 0.95, the cutoff point was 0.37 and the sensitivity and specificity were 95.56% and 94.74%, respectively. The two receiver operating characteristic curves of the traditional method and the SR of the proposed method were significantly different, at a p value of 0.02. Compared with that of the traditional method, the SR obtained with the new method had a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity and objectivity.     

"Torsade de pointes" in patients with structural heart disease and atrial fibrillation treated with amiodarone, beta-blockers, and digitalis

Amiodarone is one of the most efficient and safe antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Yet, though rare, proarrhythmic effects remain a clinical problem. We present three cases of amiodarone-associated "Torsade de pointes" tachycardia (Tdp) in patients treated concomitantly with heart rate controlling medication for AF. Amiodarone loading therapy was started for the treatment of tachyarrhythmic AF in all the three patients. All presented with a history of coronary heart disease, resulting in a severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in two patients. One received oral amiodarone loading, in the others, amiodarone was administered intravenously because of hemodynamically relevant AF episodes. Amiodarone therapy was combined with a heart rate controlling medication including a β-blocking agent and digitalis in all the cases. All the subjects suffered from clinically relevant Tdp in the early run after initiation of amiodarone loading (max. 48 hours). The mean QTc in all patients before induction of Tdp was prolonged. The present case reports imply that amiodarone in combination with β-blocker/digitalis therapy may be associated with an elevated proarrhythmic risk in selected patients with structural heart disease and AF.     

阵发性心房颤动患者环肺静脉射频消融术后复发的预测因素研究

目的探讨阵发性心房颤动（PAF）患者左心房功能联合B型脑钠肽（BNP）预测环肺静脉射频消融术（CPVA）后复发的意义。 方法选取2017年1月至2018年12月在常州市第一人民医院住院的拟行第一次CPVA术的PAF患者201例。CPVA术前测定患者血液BNP水平;实时三维超声心动图（RT-3DE）获取左心房时间-容积曲线;根据术后3个月动态心电图结果,将PAF患者分为窦性心律组和复发组。应用多因素Logistic回归分析影响CPVA术后PAF复发的独立危险因素;对获得的独立危险因素行预测PAF复发的ROC曲线,比较不同指标的效能。 结果201例PAF患者完成CPVA术,随访中36例（17.9%）复发,复发组BNP高于窦性心律组（P＜0.05）。2组间左心房最大容积指数（LAVImax）、左心房最小容积指数（LAVImin）差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）;2组间膨胀指数（EI）、舒张期射血指数（DEI）、被动射血指数（PEI）、主动射血指数（AEI）差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析表明：术前BNP、DEI及PAF病史是PAF复发的独立预测因素（均P＜0.05）。ROC曲线显示：DEI及联合指标（DEI+BNP）预测CPVA术后复发的效能均优于LAVImin（AUC：0.881 vs 0.686、0.901 vs 0.686,均P<0.05）;联合诊断的特异性优于DEI及BNP（89.7% vs 79.4%、89.7% vs 72.7%,均P＜0.05）。 结论CPVA术治疗的PAF患者中,左心房存储功能受损及BNP增高均是CPVA术后PAF复发的独立预测因素,两者联合可提高预测复发的特异度。     

围术期应用胺碘酮预防心脏不停跳冠状动脉搭桥术后房颤的研究

目的探讨围手术期应用胺碘酮在预防非体外循环下心脏不停跳冠状动脉搭桥术后房颤中的作用。方法采用随机对照的研究方法,将2009年1月至2011年1月在我科进行非体外循环下心脏不停跳冠状动脉搭桥术的患者随机分为试验组和对照组,每组各100例。A组为试验组,术前口服胺碘酮,600mg/d(200mgtid),连续7d,之后改为200mg/d至术前,术后当天开始静脉滴注胺碘酮,负荷量为5mg/kg,之后给予维持量0.5mg.kg-1.h-1,能进食后改为200mg/d口服。B组为对照组,不给予胺碘酮治疗而仅用常规药物。观察两组患者术后房颤发生率及心率变化,同时检测试验组患者术前及术后第2天的胺碘酮血药浓度。结果两组患者的术前一般特征及手术情况相近。试验组100例患者中术后有10例(10.0%)发生房颤,对照组100例患者中有36例(36.0%)发生房颤(P=0.015)。试验组房颤时最大心室率为(126.0±20.8)次/min,房颤持续时间为1.0d,对照组房颤时最大心室率为(150.0±25.6)次/min,房颤持续时间为(3.0±1.5)d(P<0.05)。试验组术后心率慢于对照组,两组Q-T间期、术后并发症的发生及死亡率无统计学差异。试验组的住院时间为(10.6±2.8)d,对照组住院时间为(15.4±3.2)d(P<0.05)。胺碘酮血药浓度平均值术前为(797±136)ng/ml,术后第2天为(763±94)ng/ml(P>0.05)。结论胺碘酮在预防非体外循环下心脏不停跳冠状动脉搭桥术后房颤中的作用显著,能安全有效地降低术后房颤的发生率,缩短房颤持续时间,且无明显不良反应。     

Morse跌倒评估量表与Berg平衡量表应用于老年患者预测跌倒风险的效果分析

摘要 目的：测量并比较Morse跌倒评估量表(MFS)及Berg平衡量表（BBS）应用于老年患者的跌倒风险预测效果。 方法：两名测试护士使用MFS及BBS分别对161例老年患者进行跌倒风险评估,3个月后电话随访患者是否在此期间跌倒。分析量表不同诊断界值的敏感度、特异度及接受者操作特性（ROC）曲线。 结果：MFS的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0.893（P＜0.01）,其敏感度和特异度在诊断界值为25分时分别为100%和11%,在45分时分别为96%和36%,在50分时分别为96%和52%,在55分时相对平衡,分别为92%和64%。BBS的AUC为0.654（P＜0.05）,其敏感度和特异度在诊断界值为45分时分别为72%和40%,在40分时相对平衡,分别为68%和57%。 结论：两种量表应用于我国老年患者的预测效果均较好,推荐MFS的诊断界值为55分,BBS诊断界值为40分。MFS较BBS的预测效果好,临床需结合患者的特点选择合适的量表并由临床护士使用。     

Efficacy and safety of ibutilide for cardioversion of atrial flutter and fibrillation in patients receiving amiodarone or propafenone

AIM: The effectiveness and safety of ibutilide (IB) use in patients receiving amiodarone or propafenone for atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were compared to IB alone. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 104 consecutive patients with AF (65%) or AFL (35%), receiving amiodarone (n = 46), propafenone (n = 30), or no specific antiarrhythmic drug (n = 28), IB was given for cardioversion. Fifteen patients in amiodarone group were loaded with 1.2 g intravenously before IB administration. The mean duration of arrhythmia episode was 23 +/- 65 days, while 85% of patients had structural heart disease. The left ventricle ejection fraction was 57 +/- 10% and the left atrium size was 4.2 +/- 0.6 cm. The conversion efficacy did not differ among groups (62% for amiodarone vs 55% for propafenone vs 64% for IB alone). The QTc intervals were significantly prolonged, at 10 minutes and 30 minutes after IB administration, in amiodarone group (from 449 +/- 88 to 496 +/- 92 ms, 508 +/- 52 ms; P = 0.001) and in the group where IB was used alone (from 434 +/- 45 to 517 +/- 74 ms, 492 +/- 65 ms; P < 0.001), while it remained unchanged in propafenone group (from 464 +/- 52 to 471 +/- 80 ms, 489 +/- 93 ms; P = 0.536). The only predictor of conversion was the presence of AFL (P = 0.009). Five patients developed ventricular tachycardias after IB administration (two in propafenone, one in amiodarone, and two in IB group). CONCLUSIONS: The use of IB in patients receiving amiodarone or propafenone for AFL or AF is equally effective and safe as the use of IB alone. The presence of AFL is the stronger predictor factor for cardioversion.     

倍他乐克和小剂量胺碘酮对维持房颤复律后窦律的疗效观察

目的：应用倍他乐克和小剂量胺碘酮，观察对房颤转复及维持窦性心律的效果。方法：开始用胺碘酮持续静注，48h后改用口服，按每天600mg，400mg，200mg每周减量；倍他乐克每天25～50mg起始，每周25～50mg增量，以心率和血压作为控制标准。结果：23例药物转复成功，6例电转复成功；0．5a、1a、2a有效率93．31％(27／29)，89．66％(26／29)，86．21％(25／29)，无明显副作用发生。结论：联合小剂量胺碘酮和倍他乐克维持房颤转复后的窦性心律．比单用胺碘酮疗效好，观察2a未发现明显副作用。认为：除两药的抗心律失常作用外，长期应用更有综合改善心功能的作用，更有利于对冠心病、高血压心脏病、心肌病合并房颤的治疗。