electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation

Q: The success rate of electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) is inversely proportional to? (select one)

A) The size of the left atrium
B) The size of the right atrium


Answer: A

Overall, the success rate of electrical cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation depends on two factors: 1) How long the AF is present (duration), and 2) the size of the left atrium. Moreover, the use of biphasic cardioversion works better than the use of monophasic cardioversion.

#cardiology



References:

1.  Lown B. Electrical reversion of cardiac arrhythmias. Br Heart J 1967; 29:469. 

2. Gurevitz OT, Ammash NM, Malouf JF, et al. Comparative efficacy of monophasic and biphasic waveforms for transthoracic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Am Heart J 2005; 149:316.