Myocardial injury, neurohormonal activation and inflammation after internal atrial defibrillation.

Background: The effects of patient-activated atrial defibrillation on subclinical myocardial injury are unknown. Using biochemical markers, this study assessed the effect of a single internal atrial shock delivered by the implantable atrial defibrillator on myocardial damage, neurohormonal activation and inflammation.

Methods: Twelve patients were implanted with a dual chamber defibrillator for the sole indication of drug refractory symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Long-term care of the patient with the atrial defibrillator.

With an aging population, atrial fibrillation is becoming an increasingly common cause of hospital admission. Patients with recurrent, symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation often require repeated admissions to the hospital for cardioversion. The development of the atrial defibrillator has empowered such patients to take charge of their condition and perform cardioversion on themselves at home.