Resuscitation
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Safety and effectiveness are the goals in treating patients with arrhythmias. In an open prospective study, we observed the efficacy and safety of up to 2 mg intravenous ibutilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic agent in haemodynamically stable patients presenting in the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of recent-onset (<48 h) atrial fibrillation/flutter. Arrhythmia termination within 90 min, haemodynamic parameters and proarrhythmic effects were assessed. ⋯ Forty-seven patients (92%) were discharged within a median of 9 h and managed as outpatients. In conclusion, in haemodynamically stable patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation/flutter intravenous ibutilide and external electrical cardioversion for conversion to sinus rhythm turned out to be effective and safe. The short duration of admission makes this strategy attractive for use in the ED.
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Biography Historical Article
The resuscitation greats. Friedrich Trendelenburg (1844-1924).