Observation on effectiveness and safety of ibutilide in pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter to normal sinus rhythm

Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of ibutilide in pharmarcological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter to normal sinus rhythm.Methods The clinical data of 110 cases treated by pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with intravenous infusion of ibutilide were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.Results Arrhythmia in 65(59.1%) of 110 cases had been converted to normal sinus rhythm and patients in this group were in older age range,with higher rate of complications of heart disease,a longer lasting time of episode,and a larger left atrial diameter than patients without conversion to normal sinus rhythm.Frequent premature ventricular contractions(in 4 of 110) and torsade de pointes(TdP)(in 2 of 110) had been occurred during the first hour of treatment with ibutilide.Conclusion The efficacy of ibutilide for conversion of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter to sinus rhythm is affirmative.Age,complicated with organic heart disease,lasting time of episode,and large left atrial diameter are associated with its effectiveness.However,it also increase the risk of occurrence of fatal arrhythmia and TdP.Therefore,adequate intensive care can dramatically reduce the occurrence of these risks.