Abstract 13340: Contemporary Use and Clinical Outcomes Following Non-Emergent Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is recommended as one means of rhythm control for patients with atrial arrhythmias. However, the use of and outcomes following ECV in practice are not well described. Methods: We reviewed all, non-emergent ECVs for atrial arrhythmias at a tertiary care center from 2010 through 2013. Patients were stratified by use of TEE prior to ECV and demographics, history, vitals, and laboratory studies were compared. Outcomes included immediate ECV success, complications, repeat cardioversion, rehospitalization, and death at 30 days. Results: Overall 1,017 patients underwent ECV during the study period, most for atrial fibrillation (n=760, 75%) or atrial flutter (n=240, 24%); 633 underwent TEE prior to ECV and 384 did not. Those who had a TEE were more likely to be inpatients (74% vs. 44%, p<0.001), had higher mean CHADS2 scores (2.6 vs. 2.4, p=0.03), and lower INRs (mean 1.2 vs. 2.1, p<0.001). Overall, 8.8% (n=89) did not achieve sinus rhythm and there were 14 immediate com...