Facilitating transthoracic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with ibutilide pretreatment

Article Abstract:

The anti-arrhythmic drug ibutilide combined with cardioversion may be effective in treating atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of the heart begin to beat extremely fast. This interferes with the heart's normal pumping action. Researchers randomly assigned 100 patients in atrial fibrillation to receive ibutilide or a placebo. Both groups received cardioversion, the medical term for the procedure in which doctors place paddles on a patient's chest to shock the heart back to normal. Cardioversion was successful in restoring heart function in all the patients who received ibutilide but only in 72% of those who received a placebo, or inactive substance.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Electric countershock, Anti-arrhythmia drugs, Antiarrhythmia agents

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Preoperative amiodarone as prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation after heart surgery

Article Abstract:

Preoperative treatment with amiodarone may reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation following heart bypass and valve replacement surgery. Atrial fibrillation is a very rapid heartbeat that occurs in 10-40% of patients after heart surgery. Researchers randomly assigned 124 patients to receive amiodarone or placebo for at least seven days prior to surgery. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 25% of the treated patients and 53% of the placebo group. Treated patients had shorter hospital stays, lower hospital bills, and less atrial fibrillation after discharge.

Prevention, Surgery, Preoperative care, Postoperative complications, Heart, Amiodarone, Heart surgery

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Adenosine-induced atrial arrhythmia: a prospective analysis

Article Abstract:

Administering intravenous adenosine as a treatment for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) may cause a serious heart problem of another type. Two-hundred patients with PSVT, an abnormally fast heartbeat, were treated with a 12 milligram (mg) dose of adenosine. This therapy slowed the heartbeat in 99% of the patients, but resulted in atrial arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, in 12% of those treated. Smaller doses were previously shown to cause this complication only 1% of the time. This treatment should only be done when full life support is available.

Causes of, Drug therapy, Arrhythmia, Adenosine, Supraventricular tachycardia

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