Direct-current cardioversion of atrial tachyarrhythmias under oral flecainide therapy

Results of direct-current cardioversion of 48 patients with atrial arrhythmia taking oral flecainide were compared with those of 96 control-matched patients. After completion of 3 shocks, 98% of flecainide patients were converted versus 78% of control patients (p <0.01). Thus, despite an experimental increase in defibrillation threshold, flecainide given before cardioversion seems to have a beneficial effect.