Nice sharing.
My info is always dated...
DC Cardioversion is a good tool. Add the fact that current cardioversion drugs are not that great and I can understand why some people would prefer to go the DC Cardiversion route and skip the rest. But DC requires some planning and a special setting: equipments, personnels, etc.
Just looking at recent onset, someone can show recent onset AF at the (1) Emergency call, (2) ER, (3) doc's office, (4) while in the hospital. In most cases, DC Cardioversion must be done in a hospital because of its special requirements, so (2) and (4) from above. Because the patient will be sedated, the patient must have a period of 6-8 hrs without food/drink. So someone who is already in the hospital is probably most likely to be selected to be converted using DC Cardio because they are best situated. All other patients must wait some time for travel, etc. and manage their own thoughts about what is happening.
An AF conversion drug that can work a decent % of time, is not too hard to adminster, doesn't take that long to show its stuff, and wouldn't interfere will later DC Cardioversion should have a place in AF. It should also be cheaper in the final tally.
As always, let me know if I am up a tree. |
