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Multicenter Study
. 2017 Jan 18;17(1):33.
doi: 10.1186/s12872-017-0470-0.

Prediction of ineffective elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a retrospective multi-center patient cohort study

Tapio Hellman  1 , Tuomas Kiviniemi  2 , Tuija Vasankari  2 , Ilpo Nuotio  1 , Fausto Biancari  3 , Aissa Bah  4 , Juha Hartikainen  4 , Marianne Mäkäräinen  2 , K E Juhani Airaksinen  5
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prediction of ineffective elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a retrospective multi-center patient cohort study

Tapio Hellman et al. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Elective cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a standard procedure to restore sinus rhythm. However, predictors for ineffective ECV (failure of ECV or recurrence of AF within 30 days) are unknown.

Methods: We investigated 1998 ECVs performed for AF lasting >48 h in 1,342 patients in a retrospective multi-center study. Follow-up data were collected from 30 days after ECV.

Results: Median number of cardioversions was one per patient with a range of 1-10. Altogether 303/1998 (15.2%) ECVs failed. Long (>5 years) AF history and over 30 days duration of the index AF episode were independent predictors for ECV failure and low (<60/min) ventricular rate of AF predicted success of ECV. In patients with successful ECVs an early recurrence of AF was detected in 549 (32.4%) cases. Female gender, high (>60/min) ventricular rate, renal failure and antiarrhythmic agents at discharge were the independent predictors for recurrence. In total ECV was ineffective in 852 (42.6%) cases. Female gender (OR 1.44, CI95% 1.15-1.80, p < 0.01), young (<65 years) age (OR 1.31, CI95% 1.07-1.62, p = 0.01), ventricular rate >60/min (OR 1.92, CI95% 1.08-3.41, p = 0.03), antiarrhythmic medication at discharge (OR 1.48, CI95% 1.14-1.93, p < 0.01) and low (<60/ml/min) estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 1.59, CI95% 1.08-2.33, p = 0.02) were predictors of ineffective ECV.

Conclusions: Female gender, use of antiarrhythmic drug therapy and renal failure predicted both recurrence of AF and the composite end point. For the first time in a large real-life study several clinical predictors for clinically ineffective ECV were identified.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardioversion; Recurrence.

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