phenprocoumon and Atrial-Flutter

Cardioversion (CV) in atrial fibrillation can cause arterial embolism. Effective anticoagulation clearly reduces the risk. In practice, in every third case anticoagulation is not in line with the recommendations. Simplification can be achieved, and time gained, by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) due to the shorter anticoagulation period prior to CV, and by use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for anticoagulation. As yet little data is available on LMWH in cardioversion. The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the administration of a LMWH in this indication under everyday clinical conditions.. 125 patients treated as inpatients for atrial fibrillation or -flutter received the LMWH Fragmin (dalteparin 2 x 100 anti-Xa units/kg, maximum dosage 2 x 10,000 anti-Xa units subcutaneously). In the presence of a relevant indication, TEE-guided CV was performed. The application of dalteparin was terminated as soon as effective anticoagulation had been achieved from phenprocoumon or once anticoagulation was no longer indicated.. 125 patients with atrial fibrillation or -flutter received dalteparin for a median of 11 days (range of 3-41 days). TEE was performed in 39 patients. Five patients revealed a thrombus in the left atrial appendage in the TEE, and one patient died from suspected cerebral embolism over the further course. In the remaining 124 patients, no thromboembolic event was established. Successfully cardioverted were 26 of 34 patients (76%) who had no thrombus in the TEE. Serious adverse effects did not ensue.. Simple, well tolerated and effective anticoagulation is possible with dalteparin in TEE-guided CV. Due to the methodic limitations of a cohort study and the low incidence of emboli, the efficacy of dalteparin in this indication needs to be further confirmed by prospective and randomized studies.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial Flutter; Cohort Studies; Dalteparin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Electric Countershock; Female; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Intracranial Embolism; Male; Middle Aged; Phenprocoumon; Premedication; Risk Factors; Thromboembolism; Treatment Outcome

The ablation of common type atrial flutter is mainly performed by two approved techniques, whose efficacy and outcome in terms of quality of life have not been evaluated so far in a long-term follow-up study over years. A high proportion of patients suffer from coexistent atrial fibrillation, which may worsen the ablation result. The question arises whether one technique is more effective than the other when immediate ablation results, the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and the quality of life are compared. Considering these facts, it is reasonable to think about new ablation strategies for common type atrial flutter in the era of new concepts in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.. In a retrospective study we evaluated a detailed questionnaire in 132 patients who underwent ablation of common type between 1999 and 2004. Radiofrequency ablation was performed irrespective of coexistent atrial fibrillation either with an irrigated tip or the 8 mm tip electrode. Acute and long-term ablation outcome, and the associated quality of life, pre-, under- and post-ablation was compared in the two different ablation groups. Recurrent tachycardia were re-evaluated by 12 lead ECG analysis and assessed for both ablation groups.. 88 (67%) of the 132 patients contacted answered the questionnaire polling the perceived benefits of the procedure. Of the other 44 patients (33%); 4 (3%) had died, 7 (5.3%) had moved, 33 patients (25%) could not be included due to missing or incoherent answers. Independent of the ablation technique there was a high acute and long-term ablation success rate at about 95%. After a mean of 3 years of follow-up this benefit persists in spite of a high proportion of recurrent tachycardia, mainly atrial fibrillation (55/88 patients, 59.1%). Despite the occurrence of secondary tachycardia, there was a high significant long-term symptomatic benefit in the state of healthy and daily practice work, evaluated with a p-value of < 0.0005. The frequency of episodes and the symptom "tachycardia" were significantly reduced after effective ablation of common type atrial flutter, p-values of 0.003 and 0.002, respectively. Therefore the need for hospitalization was significant reduced (p = 0.001). Comparison of both approaches revealed that there was no significant difference related to the incidence and occurrence of atrial fibrillation.. The two mainly accepted and applied techniques for the ablation of common type atrial flutter show an excellent outcome under the aspect of ablation efficacy and quality of life in longterm follow-up. Three years after the ablation procedure the majority of patients consider the intervention beneficial. Despite the relatively high appearance of atrial fibrillation in the long-term follow-up this effect is still traceable.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial Flutter; Cardiac Electrophysiology; Catheter Ablation; Electrocardiography; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitalization; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Phenprocoumon; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tachycardia; Treatment Outcome

We report about the sudden onset of a median nerve neuropathy in an anticoagulated patient eight weeks after uneventful carpal tunnel release. Several differential diagnosis have to be considered: compression syndrome as well as iatrogenic damage of the median nerve due to the preliminary procedure or even concomitant disease can generate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. We diagnosed an intraneural haematoma through surgical exploration. This rare complication of oral anticoagulation therapy occurred spontaneously and was treated successfully by interfascicular neurolysis.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Flutter; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Diagnosis, Differential; Hematoma; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Male; Median Neuropathy; Neurologic Examination; Pacemaker, Artificial; Phenprocoumon; Postoperative Complications; Reoperation