Comparison of two different electrodes for the delivery of dc-shocks

Twenty-six consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation, planned for elective cardioversion were randomised to cardioversion with ordinary or self-adhesive electrodes. The two types of electrodes were found equally efficient for conversion to sinus rhythm. With the self-adhesive electrodes there was a tendency towards the need for a lesser number of DC-shocks and a lower cumulated energy. The post-cardioversion maximal serum creatine kinase activity adjusted for number of shocks was significantly lower when the self-adhesive electrodes were used, indicating a lesser degree of skeletal muscle damage.