Cerebral thromboembolism after direct current cardioversion for pure atrial flutter

Intensive Care Med. 1997 Feb;23(2):196-7. doi: 10.1007/s001340050315.

Abstract

The need for prophylactic anticoagulation before electrical cardioversion for atrial arrhythmias is clearly established in the case of atrial fibrillation. By contrast, such prophylaxis is not a current standard of care before cardioversion for pure atrial flutter, since this arrhythmia seems not to increase the risk of postcardioversion embolism. We present a patient who developed two cerebral embolisms 24 h after electrical cardioversion for pure atrial flutter. To our knowledge, this observation has not been previously reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Flutter / therapy*
  • Electric Countershock / adverse effects*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed