Hemodynamic effects after conversion of arrhythmias

25 patients with arrhythmias undergoing direct current transthoracic shock (21 with atrial fibrillation, 2 with atrial flutter, 1 with supraventricular tachycardia, 1 with ventricular tachycardia).

Direct current transthoracic shock (cardioversion) to convert arrhythmia to sinus rhythm.

Each patient as their own control (before vs. immediately after shock), and patients whose atrial fibrillation terminated compared to those whose atrial fibrillation persisted.

Systemic and coronary hemodynamic parameters (including right heart pressures, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac efficiency, cardiac output, and coronary blood flow) measured immediately after shock.surrogate