Transvenous electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in two dogs.

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by uncoordinated electrical activation of the atria that leads to the loss of atrial mechanical function and atrial fibrosis as a substrate promoting maintenance of rhythm abnormality. Transvenous electrical cardioversion has not been previously reported in the dog. The authors demonstrate the use of this technique for successful cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in two dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.