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Atrial fibrillation

Prevalence
Causes
Clinical features
Investigations
Therapy
Prevention
Prognosis
Therapy

DC cardioversion

Consider giving an infusion of ibutilide before cardioversion a  

Why?

  • It increases the chance that patients will remain in sinus rhythm a

Pre-treatment with ibutilide helps maintain sinus rhythm following DC cardioversion

Patient Treatment Comparison Outcome CER RRR
(95% CI)
NNT
(95% CI)
acute AF a ibutilide before cardioversion placebo before cardioversion sinus rhythm
at 12 months
72% -39%
(-65% to -17%)
4
(2 to 6)
 

Expiry date: February 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   CM   Ball , N   Shenker
Reviewer   R G   Hart
CAT Writers   CM   Ball , N   Shenker , CJ   Wotton