[The effect of cardioversion in sinus rhythm on the systolic dynamics in atrial fibrillation and flutter]

In 60 cases of atrial fibrillation and flutter the systolic time intervals, haemodynamic ratios (PEj/PPE, PPE/PEj and PEj/TCIV) and ejection fraction before and after cardioversion in sinus rhythm were determined. The cardiac performance was markedly improved in all cases regardless the etiology and the degree of ventricular efficiency, pleading for the use of cardioversion anytime there is a chance to restore and maintain the sinus rhythm. The persistence of anticreased venous pressure, as well as the absence or late resumption of atrial mechanic activity usually indicate that arrhythmia soon recurs. In atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, the inclusion in calculation only of those systoles preceded by R-R higher than 800 ms permits a better estimation of the degree of cardiac performance deterioration consecutive to the existing cardiopathy, the obtained data being very close to the postconversion values.