[Does effective cardioversion after surgery for valvular heart disease improve hemodynamic indicators?]. / Czy skuteczna kardiowersja po operacji wady zastawkowej serca poprawia wskazniki hemodynamiczne.

In 55 patients aged 47 +/- 6 years successful electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation was made. 24 hours before and after cardioversion, ekg and M-mode, 2-D and Doppler echocardiography was performed. Important improvement in ejection fraction (Simpson method), (p < 0.005) and in stroke index (Simpson method, p < 0.01; Doppler method, p < 0.005) was found in 64% of pts. Pts with haemodynamic improvement (HI) were significantly younger, had smaller, left atrial area in apical two-chamber view and left ventricular diastolic diameter and longer pulmonary acceleration time. In pts with HI the duration of AF was significantly shorter and closed mitral commissurotomy less frequent (p < 0.05). Restoration of mechanical atrial function (A-wave) was found in 44% of pts. In pts with A-wave HI was more often (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between maximal peak A-wave flow velocity and HI.

[Comparative evaluation of anesthesia with etomidate and propanidid in patients undergoing electric cardioversion]. / Porównawcza ocena anestezji etomidatem i propanididem u chorych poddanych kardiowersji elektrycznej.

Cardioversion is one of the most effective treatment in cardiac arrhythmias. However, this technique is painful it requires proper anaesthesia assuring stable circulatory and respiratory functions. The authors compared two anaesthetics: etomidate and propanidid. No significant difference in their effects on both circulation and respiration has been noted. Some differences between both drugs in the produced adverse reactions were however noted. Etomidate caused pain at the site of injection, propanidid allergic reactions in the form of skin rash.