[A pregnant woman with de novo atrial fibrillation].

Background: De novo atrial fibrillation (AF) is rare in pregnancy. The exact pathophysiology of AF is unclear; it might be caused by several cardiovascular and hemodynamic changes that occur in pregnancy, leading to an increased stretch in myocardial cells of the atrial wall.

Case Description: A 26-year-old primigravida with a thus far uncomplicated pregnancy presents with symptoms of heart palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Baseline NT-ProBNP level predicts success of cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with flecainide.

Background: Patients with acute-onset symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) can be treated with flecainide. However, flecainide may induce arrhythmias and/or exaggerate heart failure. Therefore, validated markers to predict the efficacy of flecainide and prevent adverse effects are required.