Anticoagulation Reduces Stroke Risk of Cardioversion

In a large study, researchers found that if anticoagulation medication is given to patients with atrial fibrillation prior to cardioversion, the rate of stroke or other embolic happenings was less than 1%.

The study involved 717 patients with atrial fibrillation who had direct current (DC) cardioversion to electronically restore the heart's normal rhythm. Prior to the procedure, all patients were administered anticoagulation medication. The results showed that the medication can greatly minimize the risk of stroke. In the United States alone, the researchers say atrial fibrillation is responsible for more than 70,000 strokes each year. The incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age. The study was conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA).

"If the decision favors cardioversion, the researchers have provided further proof of the efficacy of three to four weeks of warfarin anticoagulation before cardioversion,” write doctors from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston (MA, USA) in an accompanying editorial.




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