[Electrode position in elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. A randomized study].

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of left anteroposterior (A-P) and apex-anterior (A-A) electrode position in the electrical cardioversion (ECV) of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Location: ICU of a second-level hospital.

[Variations in health-related quality of life in critical patients].

Objective: To determine the changes in the health-related quality of life (hRQOL) six months after discharge from the ICU and the conditions associated to them.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: 14 beds medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Health-related quality of life as a prognostic factor of survival in critically ill patients.

Objective: To evaluate whether health-related quality of life prior to admission into an intensive care unit (ICU) is a prognostic factor of hospital and 1 year mortality.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Fourteen-bed medical-surgical ICU.

[Limitation of therapeutic effort after ICU admission. Analysis of related factors].

Objective: To analyze the limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the variables associated with that decision.

Design: Prospective cohort study with a follow up of one year after discharge.

Setting: ICU of a second level hospital.

[Comparison of two electrode positions in electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: This study aims to compare effectiveness of electrical cardioversion (ECV) in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) according to the electrode positions: anteroapical (A-A) or anteroposterior (A-P). That which restores the sinus rhythm (SR) using the least energy is considered superior.

Design: Observational study comparing two consecutive series of patients.