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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Cardioversion
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Cardioversion
by Gunter, Oct 07, 1999 12:00AM
It appears that electric cardioversion can be attempted several times to get back to sinus rythm for atrial fibrillation problems. I have had one conversion which lasted about 30 hours. Here are my questions:
1.) Does the percentage of successful and sustained conversions to sinus rythm change with with the number of trials, i.e. are attempts no. 2 or 3 etc. more likely or less likely to succeed?
2.) Does the use of chemical conversion agents (e.g. tambocor or procaidamine) administered during or after electrical conversion confuse the apparent results of electrical conversion because, on a scientific basis chemical and electrical conversions appear to be completely different processes?
3.) Does the short-term use of chemical conversion agents during electrical cardioversion help sustain electrical conversion?
4.) When attempting electrical cardioversions, what can be done to optimize the success of longterm sustained sinus rythm if follow-up long-term medication is undesirable. For example, should attempt no. 2 be made as soon as it is clear that the apparent success of attempt no. 1 has dissipated?
Thanks again for your time.
1.) Does the percentage of successful and sustained conversions to sinus rythm change with with the number of trials, i.e. are attempts no. 2 or 3 etc. more likely or less likely to succeed?
2.) Does the use of chemical conversion agents (e.g. tambocor or procaidamine) administered during or after electrical conversion confuse the apparent results of electrical conversion because, on a scientific basis chemical and electrical conversions appear to be completely different processes?
3.) Does the short-term use of chemical conversion agents during electrical cardioversion help sustain electrical conversion?
4.) When attempting electrical cardioversions, what can be done to optimize the success of longterm sustained sinus rythm if follow-up long-term medication is undesirable. For example, should attempt no. 2 be made as soon as it is clear that the apparent success of attempt no. 1 has dissipated?
Thanks again for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Oct 08, 1999 12:00AM
In response to your questions.
Does the percentage of successful and sustained conversions to sinus rythm change with with the number of
trials, i.e. are attempts no. 2 or 3 etc. more likely or less likely to succeed? This depends on the therapy you are on and your anatomy.
2.) Does the use of chemical conversion agents (e.g. tambocor or procaidamine) administered during or after
electrical conversion confuse the apparent results of electrical conversion because, on a scientific basis chemical
and electrical conversions appear to be completely different processes? No
3.) Does the short-term use of chemical conversion agents during electrical cardioversion help sustain electrical
conversion? Yes
4.) When attempting electrical cardioversions, what can be done to optimize the success of longterm sustained
sinus rythm if follow-up long-term medication is undesirable. For example, should attempt no. 2 be made as soon
as it is clear that the apparent success of attempt no. 1 has dissipated? Short term anti arrhythmics may stabilize the atrium over the initial vulnerable period of the first 6 to 8 weeks.
Does the percentage of successful and sustained conversions to sinus rythm change with with the number of
trials, i.e. are attempts no. 2 or 3 etc. more likely or less likely to succeed? This depends on the therapy you are on and your anatomy.
2.) Does the use of chemical conversion agents (e.g. tambocor or procaidamine) administered during or after
electrical conversion confuse the apparent results of electrical conversion because, on a scientific basis chemical
and electrical conversions appear to be completely different processes? No
3.) Does the short-term use of chemical conversion agents during electrical cardioversion help sustain electrical
conversion? Yes
4.) When attempting electrical cardioversions, what can be done to optimize the success of longterm sustained
sinus rythm if follow-up long-term medication is undesirable. For example, should attempt no. 2 be made as soon
as it is clear that the apparent success of attempt no. 1 has dissipated? Short term anti arrhythmics may stabilize the atrium over the initial vulnerable period of the first 6 to 8 weeks.
Please elaborate briefly on your answer to my first question: What are you telling me when you say that the success of multiple electro cardioversions 'depends on the therapy' I am on?
Thanks again