Key result
External DC cardioversion in persistent AF patients led to significant prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period up to 24 hours (p < 0.0001), which returned to baseline by 2 weeks.
Why the study?
Does restoration of sinus rhythm via external DC cardioversion reverse atrial effective refractory period shortening in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=81)
Does restoration of sinus rhythm via external DC cardioversion reverse atrial effective refractory period shortening in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation?
p-value: p=<0.0001
Following DC cardioversion for persistent AF, atrial refractoriness exhibits a biphasic pattern, prolonging initially but returning to baseline by 2 weeks, though longer ERP at 24 hours predicts maintenance of sinus rhythm.
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May inform early post-cardioversion monitoring; leaves open whether 24-hour ERP predicts sinus rhythm maintenance in persistent AF.
Philip A.R. Spurrell (2004) conducted an observational in Persistent atrial fibrillation (n=81). External DC cardioversion was evaluated on Atrial effective refractory period (ERP) (p=<0.0001). External DC cardioversion in persistent AF patients led to significant prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period up to 24 hours (p < 0.0001), which returned to baseline by 2 weeks.
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