[Experience in using multiple electric defibrillation for atrial fibrillation in ischemic heart disease]

The authors describe observations of 60 patients with ischaemic heart disease complicated by atrial fibrillation, who with the aid of repeated electrical defibrillations (from 2 to 24) during a number of years had their sinus rhythm maintained. In the majority of them the sinus rhythm has been maintained for 6-9 years from the beginning of arrhythmia. It is established that the time of preservation of the sinus rhythm after repeated defibrillations gradually shortens and the tension of the defibrillating discharge grows.