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Atrioverter: an implantable device for the treatment of atrial fibrillation
H J Wellens1, C P Lau, B Lüderitz
1Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background:
During atrial fibrillation, electrophysiological changes occur in atrial tissue that favor the maintenance of the arrhythmia and facilitate recurrence after conversion to sinus rhythm. An implantable defibrillator connected to right atrial and coronary sinus defibrillation leads allows prompt restoration of sinus rhythm by a low-energy shock. The safety and efficacy of this system, called the Atrioverter, were evaluated in a prospective, multicenter study.
Methods And Results:
The study included 51 patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation who had not responded to antiarrhythmic drugs, were in New York Heart Association Heart failure class I or II, and were at low risk for ventricular arrhythmias. The atrial defibrillation threshold had to be
Conclusions:
With the Atrioverter, prompt and safe restoration of sinus rhythm is possible in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation.