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Updated: May 12, 2026

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
11:21

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: May 29, 2015

Success of serial external electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in maintaining sinus rhythm; a

E Bertaglia1, D D'Este, F Zerbo

  • 1Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Ospedale Civile, Mirano, Venice, Italy.

European Heart Journal
|September 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

An aggressive strategy of repeated electrical cardioversion effectively maintained sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation for 12 months. This approach also improved left ventricular ejection fraction compared to standard care.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) poses a significant clinical challenge.
  • Maintaining sinus rhythm is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a serial external electrical cardioversion strategy.
  • To assess its success in maintaining sinus rhythm over 12 months in recurrent persistent AF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, randomized study of 90 patients with persistent AF.
  • Group AGG: repeated electrical cardioversion for AF relapse within 1 month.
  • Group CTL: no treatment for AF relapse; all patients received antiarrhythmic drugs.

Main Results:

  • Sinus rhythm maintained at 12 months: 53% in Group AGG vs. 29% in Group CTL (P<0.03).
  • Significant recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction in Group AGG at 6 months (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • An aggressive policy of repeated electrical cardioversion is effective for maintaining sinus rhythm.
  • This strategy is beneficial for patients experiencing early AF recurrence.
Abstract

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