Stroke and other thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation. Part VII. Prevention of cardioversion related thromboembolism
Preobrazhenskiĭ, D.V.; Sidorenko, B.A.; Kiktev, V.G.; Batyraliev, T.A.; Pershukov, I.V.
Kardiologiia 45(7): 78-82
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9040 PMID: 16091669 Document Number: 584810
In part VII of a series of papers on epidemiology and drug prevention of stroke and other thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation the authors analyze data on frequency and contemporary approaches to prevention of thromboembolic complications related to cardioversion. The stress is made on importance of prescription of indirect anticoagulants to all patients with duration of atrial fibrillation exceeding 48 hours. International normalized ratio should be controlled during anticoagulant therapy and be kept between 2.0 and 3.0 at least for 3-4 weeks before and after restoration of sinus rhythm. Absence of atrial thrombi at transesophageal echocardiography does not exclude possibility of thromboembolic complications of cardioversion conducted without anticoagulant therapy.