Electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in a case of dextrocardia

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Cardiac Arrhythmias

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia.
• Dextrocardia is a rare congenital condition where the heart is on the right side of the chest.
• Data on atrial fibrillation management in dextrocardia is limited.

Observation:

• A 66-year-old woman presented with palpitations due to atrial fibrillation and dextrocardia.
• No specific cause for the atrial fibrillation was identified.
• Standard treatment protocols for electrical cardioversion may need adaptation in dextrocardia.

Findings:

• Electrical cardioversion was successfully performed to restore normal sinus rhythm.
• Specific anterior and lateral paddle placements were utilized, adapting to the dextrocardia anatomy.
• The procedure effectively terminated the atrial fibrillation without complications.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in patients with dextrocardia.
• It provides guidance on paddle positioning for cardioversion in this specific patient population.
• Further research is warranted to establish definitive guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation in dextrocardia.