Systolic time intervals before and after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

The effect of cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm on systolic time intervals was evaluated in 18 patients. Variable results in the left ventricular ejection time index, the external isovolumic contraction time (EICT), and the ratio of the left ventricular ejection time over the EICT (LVET/EICT) and shortening of the preejection period (PEP) (P less than 0.01), the PEP index (PEPI) (P less than 0.005), and the ratio of PEP/LVET (P less than 0.001) occurred at five hours after cardioversion. Six (33 percent) of the 18 patients developed recurrent atrial fibrillation within one month after cardioversion, and the hearts of 12 (67 percent) of the 18 patients remained in sinus rhythm for one to ten months after cardioversion. Four of five patients in whom the EICT became worse at five hours after cardioversion and two of two patients in whom the PEPI became worse at five hours after cardioversion developed recurrent atrial fibrillation. The EICT and PEPI at five hours after cardioversion may be helpful in predicting subsequent recurrence of atrial fibrillation.