Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2001
Factors predicting success rate and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after first electrical cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) after elective cardioversion is high. ⋯ In patients with persistent AF, the patient's weight and the duration of AF are independent predictors for a successful cardioversion. Short duration of AF, treatment with beta blockers or verapamil/diltiazem, and right atrial area/dimension are independent predictors for maintenance of sinus rhythm.
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2001
Atrial fibrillation: is there a role for low-molecular-weight heparin?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of tachyarrhythmia and carries a significant risk of serious thromboembolic complications. Anticoagulation is used for long-term thromboprophylaxis and for short-term management in a number of clinical situations, among which is the medical or electrical cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm. Current guidelines recommend prompt cardioversion with heparin cover for AF of <48 h duration, and several weeks of warfarin therapy prior to cardioversion when the duration of disease is longer. ⋯ For example, in patients with AF, a strategy of immediate administration of dalteparin (100 IU/kg s.c. twice daily) continued for 11 days, combined with early TEE and immediate cardioversion in patients with no thrombus, resulted in sinus rhythm in 74% of patients after a median of 7 days. Low-molecular-weight heparin therapy may also find a role perioperatively and in selected patients, notably those with warfarin intolerance, as a replacement for warfarin following cardioversion. Controlled clinical studies are still required, however, to establish a firm, evidence-based foundation for the use of LMWHs in AF.