Pulmonary edema after cardioversion for paroxysmal atrial flutter: left ventricular diastolic dysfunction induced by direct current shock

Abstract

This report describes a patient with the pulmonary edema after cardioversion for paroxysmal atrial flutter without organic heart disease. A 68-year-old man was admitted to hospital for paroxysmal atrial flutter. Antiarrhythmic agents were not effective, and direct current cardioversion was performed on the 4th hospital day. Three hours after cardioversion, the patient complained of dyspnea, and a chest X-ray showed pulmonary edema. He responded to oxygen, intravenous furosemide and drip infusion of nitroglycerine. During tapering of the medication, his condition remained stable. The patient was discharged on the 7th day after admission. Echocardiographic findings indicated that transient left ventricular diastolic dysfunction due to direct current shock was the most likely cause of the lung edema.