Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Prospective, randomized comparison of two biphasic waveforms for the efficacy and safety of transthoracic biphasic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in commercially available biphasic waveforms. ⋯ Biphasic waveforms were very effective in transthoracic cardioversion of AF, and complication rates were low. No significant difference in efficacy was observed between BR and BTE waveforms. Impedance was not an important determinant of success for either biphasic waveform.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of rate and rhythm control on left ventricular function and cardiac dimensions in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: results from the RAte Control versus Electrical Cardioversion for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (RACE) study.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate left ventricular function and atrial and ventricular diameters in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with rate or rhythm control. ⋯ Routine rate control prevents deterioration of left ventricular function. Maintenance of sinus rhythm is associated with improvement of left ventricular function and reduction of atrial sizes.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate a substrate-modifying, primarily potential-guided catheter ablation approach as a bailout therapy in patients with complex myocardial infarction and electrical storms due to ventricular tachycardias (VTs). ⋯ The cases presented demonstrate that rescue VT ablation of drug-refractory electrical storm is possible by a substrate-orientated ablation approach even in patients with complex chronic infarction and various VTs.
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The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of atrial flutter and other arrhythmia recurrences (other than atrial fibrillation [AF]) during long-term follow-up after left atrial substrate modification by percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of AF. ⋯ Left atrial flutter is a relevant complication after RF catheter ablation of AF and was always associated with AF recurrence in our study population. Prevention of left atrial flutter can be achieved by induction of ablation lines as continuous and transmural as possible. However, left atrial flutter that does occur late after ablation is amenable to interventional treatment with good prospects of success.