R. Asenjo et al., LOW-ENERGY TRANSCATHETER DEFIBRILLATION I N ONE PATIENT WITH A REFRACTORY ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION, Revista Medica de Chile, 126(3), 1998, pp. 302-308
Most cases of atrial fibrillation are converted with antiarrhythmic me
dications or external electric defibrillation. However, in some refrac
tory patients, an interval transcatheter defibrillation must be attemp
ted. We reported a 50 years old male with an atrial fibrillation of on
e year duration that was refractory to pharmacological treatment and i
n whom external cardioversion was unsuccessful. After the application
of a bifasic shock of 10 joules between a catheter in the right atrium
and another one located at the coronary sinus, the patient was conver
ted to sinus rhythm. At two months of follow up, the patient continues
in sinus rhythm.