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A Model of Long-Term Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated Rat Hearts
Published on: February 17, 2023
Ventricular pauses during atrial fibrillation predict relapse after electrical cardioversion: a prospective study
Mark Michael Gallagher1, Xiao Hua Guo, Jan Poloniecki
1Division of Cardiac & Vascular Sciences, St George's Hospital, University of London, London, United Kingdom. mark_m_gallagher@hotmail.com
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during atrial fibrillation (AF) can predict recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV). Longer RR intervals before ECV indicate a higher risk of AF relapse.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Monitoring
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia requiring treatment.
- Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm.
- Predicting AF recurrence after ECV is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of ambulatory ECG monitoring in predicting AF recurrence post-ECV.
- To identify specific ECG parameters indicative of relapse risk.
Main Methods:
- 119 patients with persistent AF underwent 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring before ECV.
- RR interval variability, including RR-max and RR-min, was analyzed.
- Patients were followed for 1 month post-ECV to assess for AF recurrence.
Main Results:
- AF recurrence was observed in 68% of patients at 1 month post-ECV.
- Longer maximum RR intervals (RR-max) during AF before ECV were significantly associated with higher rates of AF recurrence at 1 week and 1 month.
- Patients with RR-max >= 2.8 seconds showed a higher likelihood of AF at 1 month.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular pauses, indicated by prolonged RR intervals during AF, are significant predictors of relapse after ECV.
- Ambulatory ECG monitoring provides valuable prognostic information for AF management post-cardioversion.
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