Cor Vasa 2005, 46(9):329-332
Supraventricular extrasystolia in patients undergoing cardioversion for persisting atrial fibrillation
- Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha, Česká republika
Aim of study:
Atrial premature beats (APBs) originating from an automatic focus located predominantly in the atrial myocardium around the pulmonary veins play an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to describe the incidence of APBs after cardioversion for persistent AF.
Patient population and methods:
The study population consisted of 50 patients (35 males) with an average age of 63.3 ± 9.9 years without structural heart disease undergoing cardioversion for persistent AF. Ambulatory EKG monitoring was started prior to cardioversion. Two to four weeks after cardioversion, all patients had clinical and echocardiographic examination.
Results:
Over an average monitoring time in sinus rhythm equaling 1 247 ± 243 min, 8 (16%) patients had less than
1 APB per hour, 17 (34%) patients had 1-10 APB per hour, 19 (38%) had more than 10 and fewer than 100 APB, and 6 pa-tients had more than 100 APB per hour. Patients with more frequent APB had asymptomatic AF, longer duration of the current AF episode, and larger left atrium.
Conclusion:
APBs are frequent after cardioversion for persistent AF. Their frequency is facilitated by atrial electrical remod-elling due to preceding AF.
Keywords: Supraventricular extrasystoles; Atrial fibrillation; Atrial remodeling
Published: September 1, 2005 Show citation