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Review
. 2025 Dec;36(4):336-343.
doi: 10.1007/s00399-025-01109-2. Epub 2025 Sep 29.

[Electrocardioversion of atrial fibrillation: executive summary of the German Cardiac Society position paper]

[Article in German]
Jakob Lüker  1 , Dirk Vollmann  2 , Leon Iden  3 , Henning Jansen  4 , Laura Rottner  5 , Harilaos Bogossian  6   7 , Christian Perings  8 , Ralf Birkemeyer  9 , Lars Eckardt  10   11
Affiliations
Review

[Electrocardioversion of atrial fibrillation: executive summary of the German Cardiac Society position paper]

[Article in German]
Jakob Lüker et al. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2025 Dec.

Abstract
in English, German

Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is an established and effective method for restoring sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. A position paper by the German Cardiac Society provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical implementation of ECV and is summarized here. Key topics include appropriate patient selection, pre- and postprocedural management, anticoagulation strategies, sedation protocols, and technical considerations (such as electrode placement and energy levels). The document emphasizes the role of ECV as part of a broader rhythm control strategy. This paper aims to standardize and improve quality of care by translating current scientific knowledge and expert consensus into clear, practical clinical guidance.

Die elektrische Kardioversion (EKV) ist eine etablierte Methode zur Wiederherstellung des Sinusrhythmus bei persistierendem Vorhofflimmern und sollte stets als Teil eines rhythmuserhaltenden Gesamtkonzeptes erfolgen. Dargestellt werden Indikationsstellung, patientenspezifische Risikofaktoren, Vorbereitung und Rahmenbedingungen (inkl. Antikoagulation und ggf. transösophageale Echokardiograpgie), technische Aspekte (z. B. Elektrodenwahl, Schockpfad, Energiehöhe, Sedierung), Vorgehen bei nichtkonvertierbaren Patienten oder Frührezidiven. Besondere Situationen wie EKV bei Schrittmacherpatienten werden berücksichtigt. Die ausgesprochenen Empfehlungen basieren auf aktueller Evidenz und Expertenkonsens und zielen auf eine standardisierte, sichere Durchführung ab.

Keywords: Arrhythmia; Atrial fibrillation; Defibrillator; EKG; Shock.

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Conflict of interest statement

Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien. Interessenkonflikt: Siehe Tab. 4 im Anhang. Ethische Genehmigung und Einwilligung zur Teilnahme: Nicht zutreffend.

References

Literatur

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