Sinus Bradycardia and Sinus Pauses Immediately after Electrical Cardioversion of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation—What Do They Mean?. Issue 3 (20th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poçi, Dritan; Abrahamsson, Britt‐Marie; Edvardsson, Nils; Bergfeldt, Lennart
• Is Part Of: Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology. Volume 18:Issue 3(2013:May)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2013-01-20
• Subjects: Electrocardiography -- Periodicals; Arrhythmia -- Periodicals; 616.1207547
• DOI: 10.1111/anec.12033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-720X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="anec12033-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>To determine the role of sinus bradyarrhythmia (SB) immediately after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) on the short‐term recurrence rate and long‐term pacemaker need and all‐cause mortality.</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12033-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>SB defined as sinus bradycardia (sinus rate <40 bpm for ≥2 consecutive cycles) and/or sinus pauses (>2 s), were recorded during 5 minutes immediately after successful DC cardioversion in 140 consecutive patients with persistent AF.</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12033-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>SB was observed during the first minute of SR in 31 patients (22%). Sinus bradycardia was present in 27 patients, sinus pauses in 16 (>3 s in 10) patients, and both in 12 patients. Compared to patients without SB, the mean heart rate during the first minute after cardioversion was lower, 57 ± 13 versus 63 ± 11 bpm; P < 0.05, while the mean heart rates during the subsequent 4 minutes were not statistically significantly different. The AF recurrence rates were not significantly different at 1 week (45% vs. 40%), or at 3 months (68% vs. 53%) in patients with or without SB. After a mean follow‐up of 86 ± 6 months the pacemaker implantation rate was 10% versus 11% (NS) and an all‐cause mortality of 26 versus 18% (NS).</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12033-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>SB immediately after electrical cardioversion of persistent AF had no significant impact on the 3‐month AF recurrence rate, the long‐term need for pacemaker or all‐cause mortality.</p> </sec> </abstract>