Effects of cardioversion and persistent sinus rhythm on left ventricular geometry and left atrial diameter in patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation

In this study we are prospectively evaluated the changing in the left ventricular geometry and left atrial diameter after succesfully cardioversion (CV) and persistent sinus rhythm in rheumatic mitral stenosis (rMS) and chronic atrial fibrillation. Between the 1.1.1998 and 30.9.1999 108 patient with MS and AF underwent CV. All patients were treated with amiodarone 600 ing/day, digoxine 0.125 mg/day and cournadine and diuretics and underwent electrical CV on three or four weeks after. Sinus rhythm after CV in first week was provided in 92 patients. This patients were accepted succesfully CV. Persistency of sinus rhythm was found at one month 96% (89/92 patients) three month 92% (84/92) and six month 71% (66/92). By echocardiography left atrium diameter and left ventricular enddiastolic (LVEDD) and endsystolic (LVESD) diameter were obtained. Also in apical four chamber position end-systolic and end-diastolic globularity index (short axis diameter/ long axis diameter) were obtained. Left atrial CLA) diameter was found by echocardiography at pre-CV, one week, one month three month, and six month were 53+/-9, 53+/-9, 51+/-9, 51+/-8 and 48+/-8 (P<0.05) mm. LV systolic and diastolic globularity are decreased at six month.After CV, positive structural changes in LV and LA occurs at six month. We thought that, this findings may be useful in the determination of the duration of antiarrhythmic therapy and must be continued to this period.