Atrial and ventricular function after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial and ventricular function after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies on atrial recovery after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation have not taken into account new knowledge about the pathophysiology of transmitral and transtricuspid flow velocity patterns. It is possible to shed further light on this problem if atrioventricular inflow velocity, venous filling pattern, and atrioventricular annulus motion are recorded and interpreted tog...

Left ventricular diastolic function after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

In chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) left ventricular function may gradually diminish as a result of an intrinsic tachycardiomyopathy. This tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy is characterised by decreased systolic function, ventricular dilation, and raised ventricular filling pressures. In such patients left ventricular systolic function may gradually improve after electrical cardioversion. Litt...

Ventricular fibrillation during electrical cardioversion of pre-excited atrial fibrillation.

The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can rarely present with pre-excited atrial fibrillation. In this condition the short refractory period of the accessory pathway can lead to rapid atrioventricular conduction. There is then a danger that at high heart rates the irregular broad complex tachycardia that results can deteriorate into ventricular fibrillation. The initial management of patients pres...

Concomitant recovery of atrial mechanical and endocrine function after cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate left atrial mechanical function recovery and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release following successful cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is characterized by functional deterioration, loss of atrial contraction, and elevation of plasma ANP levels. The response of ANP release towar...

Internal atrial cardioversion in atrial fibrillation.