Background: During many years cardioversion of atrial fibrillation has become routine and safe procedure and often brings symptomatic and functional improvement. Nevertheless, there is a group of patients, that have a complicated course after the cardioversion. In this work we attempt to identify and characterize those individuals that do not appear to benefit from cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
Methods: During years 2008-2013 163 patients were admitted 186 times in the department of Cardiology in Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and underwent cardioversion. Medical records of these patients were revised regarding the demographic and clinical data, echocardiographic parameters and outcome. Patients were divided into 2 groups: uncomplicated cardioversion and patients that had complicated course.
Results: Of 186 patients-cardiversions 112 were males [60%] and 74 were woman [40%] , p
Conclusion: People that more likely have complications after cardioversion are older, are more often diabetic and more often have severe mitral regurgitation. In these older diabetic patients with severe mitral regurgitation, enlarged left atrium and pulmonary hypertension, an alternative approach to the cardioversion should be considered.
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