Key result
Carotid sinus massage changed a coarse type of fibrillation into a fine type, followed by termination of the arrhythmia in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Does carotid sinus massage terminate arrhythmia in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Case Report (n=1)
Does carotid sinus massage terminate arrhythmia in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Carotid sinus massage may be a worthwhile initial, non-invasive maneuver to attempt restoration of sinus rhythm in patients presenting with atrial fibrillation.
May support CSM trial in paroxysmal AF; leaves open therapeutic role pending controlled studies.
Alterations in vagal tone can influence the atrial fibrillatory process by changing the atrial refractory period. We observed in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) that carotid sinus massage (CSM) changed a "coarse" type of fibrillation into a "fine" type, followed by termination of the arrhythmia. Although coincidental conversion of AF into sinus rhythm could not be excluded, we concluded that it is worth while to try CSM in every patient presenting with AF prior to other interventions to restore sinus rhythm.
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Kirchhof et al. (1998) conducted a case report in Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=1). Carotid sinus massage was evaluated on Termination of the arrhythmia. Carotid sinus massage changed a coarse type of fibrillation into a fine type, followed by termination of the arrhythmia in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
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