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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
[Chronic atrial fibrillation in adults: direct current cardioversion or medical cardioversion]
Imen Fradi1, Aida Mokaddem, Khélifa Selmi
1Service des Maladies Cardiovasculaires, l'Hôpital Mongi Slim La Marsa.
Insights
Medical and electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation showed similar success rates. The duration of atrial fibrillation was the only factor predicting cardioversion failure in this study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Context:
- Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia.
- Cardioversion is a key treatment modality for restoring normal heart rhythm.
Purpose:
- To compare the efficacy of medical versus electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.
- To identify factors influencing cardioversion success.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 100 patients undergoing cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.
- Medical cardioversion (amiodarone) and electrical cardioversion had comparable success rates (73% vs. 70%).
- The duration of atrial fibrillation was the sole predictor of cardioversion failure.
Impact:
- Findings suggest both medical and electrical cardioversion are viable options for atrial fibrillation.
- Understanding predictive factors like duration can optimize patient selection and treatment planning for cardioversion.
Abstract:
To study cardioversion modalities of atrial fibrillation, we had a look to 100 cases hospitalized in Mongi slim cardiologic department during the period lasting from January 1993 to July 2001. Medical cardioversion (with amiodarone) was performed in 47 patients and electrical cardioversion in 53 patients. Atrial fibrillation was 17 months old. Vavular heart disease was the main etiology (65%). The primary success rate of medical cardioversion (73%) was equivalent to electrical cardioversion (70%). Oldness of atrial fibrillation was the only predictive factor of failure of cardioversion.
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