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Review
. 2010 Jan-Feb;107(1):59-64.

Electric cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Maen Nusair  1 , Greg C Flaker, Anand Chockalingam
Affiliations
Review

Electric cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Maen Nusair et al. Mo Med. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Electrical cardioversion (EC) has been performed for atrial fibrillation (AF) for over 40 years. EC is safe, effective and reliable method for aborting AF especially in unstable situations. Numerous technical and patient characteristics contribute to the success of EC. Recently various developments in this field and newer antiarrhythmic agents have lead to substantial evolution of this procedure. We review the current clinical applications, and techniques.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Algorithm outlining principles of electrical cardioversion (EC) in acute and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). CHF denotes congestive heart failure, AMI acute myocardial infarction, CC chemical cardioversion using antiarrhythmic agents, TEE transesophageal echocardiography, INR international normalized ratio.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of biphasic truncated exponential waveform vs monophasic damped sine waveform. CHEST by Tang W. Copyright 2001 by AM COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS. Reproduced with permission of AM COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS in the format Journal via Copyright Clearance Center.
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See this image and copyright information in PMC

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