Does cardioversion without anticoagulation performed in less than 48 hours increase the risk of thromboembolic complications in patients with acute atrial fibrillation?
The text highlights the unknown risk of thromboembolic complications when cardioversion without anticoagulation is performed within 48 hours of acute atrial fibrillation onset.
Time to Cardioversion for Acute Atrial Fibrillation and Thromboembolic ComplicationsIn 1995, practice guidelines recommended a limit of 48 hours after the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) for cardioversion without anticoagulation. 12]3 Whether the risk of thromboembolic complications is increased when cardioversion without anticoagulation is performed in less than 48 hours is unknown.
Nuotio et al. (Tue,) studied this question.