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Prolonged signal-averaged P wave duration after elective cardioversion increases the risk of recurrent atrial

U Dixen1, C Joens, J Parner

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark. ulrikdixen@mail.dk

Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal : SCJ
|June 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged signal-averaged P wave duration (SAPWD) over 160 ms is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cardioversion. Other patient factors did not show a significant impact on AF relapse.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
  • Cardioversion is a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm.
  • Predicting AF recurrence after cardioversion is clinically important.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk of AF recurrence post-elective cardioversion.
  • To determine the association of signal-averaged P wave duration (SAPWD) with AF recurrence.
  • To assess the role of patient characteristics and AF disease duration in AF recurrence.

Main Methods:

  • 131 patients undergoing elective cardioversion for AF were studied.
  • Signal-averaged P wave duration (SAPWD) was measured.
  • Patients were followed for 1 month to assess AF recurrence.

Main Results:

  • AF recurred in 56% of patients within the first month.
  • Prolonged SAPWD (>160 ms) was the only significant predictor of AF recurrence (OR=2.22).
  • Age, hypertension, heart failure, left atrial size, and AF duration were not significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged SAPWD (>160 ms) is a significant risk factor for recurrent AF after cardioversion.
  • SAPWD is a valuable marker for predicting AF relapse post-cardioversion.
  • Clinical characteristics did not significantly predict AF recurrence in this cohort.
Abstract

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