[15-year experience with electric countershock in auricular fibrillation]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Internal Medicine

Context:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
• Rheumatic mitral disease, atherosclerotic, and myocardial cardiosclerosis are prevalent cardiac conditions.
• Electro-impulse therapy (EIT) is a treatment option for AF.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the immediate efficacy and long-term outcomes of electro-impulse therapy for atrial fibrillation.
• To identify factors influencing relapse rates and treatment success.
• To assess the impact of underlying cardiac conditions on EIT outcomes.

Summary:

• Electro-impulse therapy demonstrated high immediate efficacy in 627 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with rheumatic mitral disease, atherosclerotic, and myocardial cardiosclerosis.
• Follow-up of 455 patients revealed a significant rate of AF relapse.
• No correlation was found between the underlying disease type or prior mitral surgery and long-term EIT results. A negative correlation was observed between AF duration and sinus rhythm maintenance.
• The study highlights the need for stringent patient selection due to high relapse rates and complication risks.

Impact:

• The findings underscore the importance of careful patient selection for electro-impulse therapy to optimize outcomes and minimize risks.
• Understanding relapse patterns can inform post-treatment management strategies for atrial fibrillation patients.
• This research contributes to the evidence base for managing atrial fibrillation in patients with complex cardiac conditions.