E-4 | Do Obese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Require More Joules for Direct Current Cardioversion to Restore Sinus Rhythm?

Antiarrhythmic drugs, direct current (DC) cardioversion, and ablation remain standard treatment strategies to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data is limited predict if higher body mass index require more joules DC cardioversion. We studied 67 consecutive fibrillation successfully cardioverted synchronized Patients were stratified into two groups: Group 1 a BMI of ≤ 30. 2 >30. underwent transesophageal echocardiogram ensure the absence clots, following which cardioversion 100 joules, 200 360 biphasic an escalating manner. Clinical characteristics comparable groups. Sleep apnea was prevalent obese group. The use antiarrhythmic drugs similar groups, 62% versus 47% (p-value 0.1). Obese young required 208 163 0.02). for electrical rhythm.