Transesophageal cardioversion of resistant atrial arrhythmias

One hundred and thirty five episodes of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation resistant to transthoracical cardioversion were treated in 127 patients with asynchronized direct current shocks via an esophageal electrode constructed by us. Sinus rhythm was restored in 105 (77.8%) cases. The mean defibrillating voltage was 4.3 kV. Complications were not observed.