P001 * Reversal of endothelial dysfunction after AF cardioversion

Flow abnormalities which occur in AF patient due to irregular heart rate which resultant turbulent flow both in left atrium and systemically may lead to endothelial dysfunction. The purpose is to detect endothelial dysfunction in non rheumatic AF patient. And test the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction is reversible upon restoration of normal sinus rhythm and correction of the blood flow dynamics. Endothelium-dependent (flow-mediated dilation) vasodilator function of brachial artery was measured using high resolution ultrasound in 30 patients with persistent non rheumatic AF who were scheduled for elective electrical cardioversion and in 10 control subjects. In patients who remained in sinus rhythm after cardioversion, these measurements were repeated after one month and two months. Compared with control subjects, patients showed lower FMD during AF (6.66Â ± 1.62% vs 14.29Â ± 2.93%, p < 0.001). In patients who remained in sinus rhythm, FMD increased at both one month (6.66Â ± 1.62% vs 10.71Â ± 2.81%, p < 0.001) and two months (6.66Â ± 1.62% vs 14.28Â ± 3.48%, p < 0.001). There is endothelial dysfunction associated with non rheumatic persistent AF patients which is reversible upon restoration of normal sinus rhythm and correction of blood flow dynamics.