The optimal strategy to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) of less than 48 hours' duration is still controversial. The investigators performed a controlled single-center trial to compare electrical and pharmacological (propafenone) cardioversion to restore the sinus rhythm in selected patients with acute atrial fibrillation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
247
External cardioversion was performed in anteroposterior position (right sternal body at the third intercostal space-angle of the left scapula); patients were submitted to a biphasic wave-form sequential shock of 100-150-200 J, if necessary.
Propafenone (2 mg/kg bolus) was administered to obtain pharmacolgic sinus rhythm conversion.
Emergency Unit - Valduce Hospital
Como, Italy
Efficacy of intervention (Electrical and pharmacological cardioversion) in restoring sinus rythm
Time frame: during emergency department stay
Number of adverse events related to electrical and pharmacological cardioversion
Time frame: during emergency department stay
recurrence of atrial fibrillation
Time frame: within 2 months
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