PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A R Houghton
AU  - A Sharman
AU  - J E Pohl
TI  - Determinants of successful direct current cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and flutter: the importance of rapid referral.
DP  - 2000 Sep 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 710--711
VI  - 50
IP  - 458
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/458/710.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/458/710.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2000 Sep 01; 50
AB  - Direct current (DC) cardioversion is an effective means of restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter; however, the existing literature contains conflicting evidence on which factors are useful predictors of success. In a study of 171 patients undergoing DC cardioversion, we found that duration of arrhythmia prior to DC cardioversion was the only significant predictor of both successful cardioversion and subsequent maintenance of sinus rhythm (P < 0.001). Rapid DC cardioversion after the onset of atrial fibrillation or flutter significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome in both the short-term and long-term.