[Comparison of the efficacy and safety of electrical cardioversion and pharmacological cardioversion with nibentan in patients with persisting atrial fibrillation and flutter]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of pharmacological cardioversion (PC) by nibentan, a class III antiarrhythmic agent, and electrical cardioversion (EC) in patients with persisting atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter (AFI) receiving basic antiarrhythmic therapy. Ninety-seven patients with persisting AFib and AFI were included in the trial (45 patients constituted PC group, and 52 constituted EC group). Both groups were comparable according to basic demographic and clinical parameters as well as antiarrhythmic therapy being applied. The results of the study showed that the efficacy of PC did not differ from that of EC (86.7% and 92.3% respectively, p = 0.282). the frequency of arrhythmogenic effect did not differ between the groups either (p = 0.46). One case of non-stable ventricular tachycardia was registered in the PC group. The most significant adverse effect was bradicardia, which was registered more often in the PC group than in EC group (26.7% and 3.8%, respectively, p = 0.001). In conclusion, the efficacy and safety of PC with nibentan in patients with persisting AFib/AFI is comparable with those of EC.